MANAGING CORRUPTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: THE ETHICAL RESPONSIBILITY OF CHURCHES

The South African society continues to stagger under an immense wave ofcorruption in both the private and the public sectors. Corruption is the misuse ofpublic office or a position of authority for private, material or social gain at theexpense of other people. The aim of this investigation is to discuss the phenomenonfrom a moral point of view and to suggest moral directives and ways that can assistthe Christian churches to address corruption from a Christian ethical angle ofapproach. The church lives by its testimony and by its ministry. Based on thisvocation the churches have the responsibility to engage in the struggle againstcorruption by raising ethical awareness and constantly reminding society at large ofthe plight of the poor. Pointing to Christ as the model of human conduct, thechurches should enhance the deeper meaning of self-interest, honesty, fairness,responsibility, compassion, love and accountability. The development of an attitudeof servanthood and stewardship according to the attitude of Christ is of specificimportance in the process of raising ethical awareness. These values are muchneeded in a culture of corruption driven by self-interest and greed. And last but notleast, the churches must always call for social justice and never refrain fromreminding the prosperity-driven South African society that as long as the currentlarge-scale poverty prevails, corruption will be difficult to curtail.