By Candace Freeman

THE Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipality (NMMM) has launched a new anti-corruption strategy in a bid to boost its fight against fraud within its structures.

Deputy Mayor Bicks Ndoni launched the new strategy yesterday and said it would create a powerful platform for fighting corruption in the city.

"The scourge of corruption is a major threat to our democracy and to sustainable development, since it leads to bad economic decisions, undermines confidence and deprives the poor of resources intended for their use," he said.

"This strategy will create a powerful platform for fighting corruption and enable us to implement a comprehensive strategy to tackle this problem throughout the NMMM," he added.

The strategy is made up of various components including ongoing risk assessments, a whistle blowing policy and physical and information security management.

It also includes an anti-fraud and corruption policy and response plans, which contains the policy stance of the Metro to the issue and steps for the reporting, basic investigation and resolution of allegations and incidents.

Municipal Manager Mzimasi Mangcotywa said the Metro would also be establishing a hotline to assist the public to report incidences of corruption.

"Members of the public will be highly protected as their confidentiality would be protected. This strategy is dynamic and will continuously evolve as the NMMM makes changes and improvements in its drive to promote and prevent fraud and corruption," he said.
Source: BuaNews