The ethical dilemmas of whistle-blowing and corruption in the South African public sector.
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Date
2005
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Abstract
This thesis focussed on three key concepts: ethics, corruption and whistleblowing.
These concepts are examined within the context of the South African
public sector. The meanings of the concepts corruption, ethics, values, morality
and human rights, as well as their influence on the public official were
investigated. The context of the role of ethics, conformity, as well as the various
causes, manifestations and conditions in society that allow corruption to occur
among public officials and political office bearers were also clarified.
By drawing upon relevant theories in literature that concem the ethical dilemmas
of the prospective whistle-blower, the thesis also attempted to determine how
heterogeneous employees of different cultures, backgrounds and education,
perceived ethics, corruption and whistle-blowing. It was also an aim of the thesis
to investigate and expand upon the important ideas advanced by the
documented literature and legislation in order to investigate employees'
perceptions with regard to ethics and corruption.
Attention was paid to an infrastructure for transparent and ethical govemance,
manifestation of unethical conduct, as well as statutory guidelines and codes of
conduct. A variety of measures and instruments. both nationally and
intemationally were discussed. Specific attention is paid to national integrity
systems, legislative measures to control corruption and promote the disclosure of
malpractice. as well as other formal mechanisms and judicial measures to protect
whistle blowers. The importance of the Protected Disclosures Act of 2000 as a
prerequisite for democracy was highlighted.
Attention was given to whistle-blowing as an internal control mechanism by
providing definitions, investigating the characteristics of prospective whistle
blowers and examining the process of whistle-blowing. The context within which
whistle-blowing occurs was scrutinised and responses by organisations were
discussed.
The findings of research into official, primary and secondary sources are
integrated with the existing legislation and presented in the context of the specific
problems associated with the ethical dilemmas of whistle-blowing in the South
African public sector. The thesis also attempted to present some indicators and
potential predictors of Whistle-blowing.
It was established that, despite the clear emphasis on whistle-blowing as an
internal mechanism to combat corruption and new legislative protection in terms
of protected disclosures, corruption has not been eliminated from public
institutions. It was also evident that the fear of reprisals as a result of a disclosure
is still a factor that negatively impacts on effective whistle-blowing. Indeed, the
fear of retaliation after blowing the whistle, may have more effect on some
employees that the actual fear of the detrimental effect of being a victim of
corruption as such. The thesis hypothesised that public sector employees'
perceptions and the government's understanding of ethical behaviour and
corruption are important, as they can serve as useful indicators and yardsticks to
measure the progress in disclosing and managing corruption.
KEY TERMS
Whistle-blowing: Ethics: Values: Morality: Information; Disclosures; Corruption;
Greed; Patronage: Nepotism; Bribery: Graft; Ghosting; Code of Ethics; Fraud:
Governance: Government.
Description
SUBMITTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE REQUIREMENTS FOR
THE DEGREE OF
DOCTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
IN THE SUBJECT
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
AT THE
UNIVERSITY OF ZULULAND
PROMOTER, 2005
Keywords
Corruption: South Africa., Whistle blowing--South Africa., Political ethics: South Africa