Pretoria - Gone are the days when public servants are suspended with full pay, says Public Service and Administration Minister Richard Baloyi.
Speaking at the international Anti-Corruption Summit held in Pretoria, Minister Baloyi said government will be taking a tougher stance on corruption cases to ensure that anti-corruption laws are more effective.
Anti-corruption laws must be applied without excuses, he said, adding that the country's courts were ready to deal with any case of corruption.
Public Service Commission Chairperson, Dr Ralph Mgijima, also encouraged people to say no to corrupt politicians.
He said the Public Service Commission will develop a code of conduct to ensure that officials disclose their interests. "Corruption has no place in a constitutional democracy," he said.
President of Business Unity South Africa, Futhi Mtoba said it was imperative to deal with corruption decisively. She said they were determined to drive corruption out and encourage a more ethical business culture.
Dr Agostinho Zacarias, Resident Coordinator of the UN System in South Africa, said corruption contributed to instability and poverty.
"Corruption results in malfunctioning of governments and can adversely affect investments," he said. "There is a need to strengthen global relations in the fight against corruption."
The summit coincides with the International Anti-Corruption Day, which was designated by the United Nations.
On this day, which is annually observed, the UN aims to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight it.
The United Nations Convention against Corruption is the first legally binding, international anti-corruption instrument that provides a chance to mount a global response to corruption.
