Stellenbosch University joins anti-corruption drive, Koogan Pillay eyes GNU boost

Stellenbosch University (SU) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) of South Africa - the country’s anti-corruption unit - to find new approaches and strategies in the fight against corruption. South Africa ranks 83 out of 180 countries on Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) and has dropped two places since 2022. According to their survey 63% of people thought corruption increased in South Africa the previous 12 months, and 18% of public service users paid a bribe in 2023. Koogan Pillay, a board member at the Anti-Corruption Centre for Education and Research at Stellenbosch university said in an interview with Biznews that the agreement with the SIU will focus on training, research, community engagement, capacity building and exchange of information and expertise. Pillay, who has advised former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela, the Presidency, and civil society on corruption, attributed the rise in corruption to the ANC government's failure to implement the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. He expressed hope that a new Government of National Unity will make “a big difference” in the fight against corruption. Pillay is also working with former Justice Richard Goldstone and Lord Peter Hain on the establishment of an International Anti-Corruption Court