Project profile — Strengthening Ethics and Integrity in South Africa

The project aims, in line with the South African Public Administration and Management Act, to support the creation of the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Management Unit, including the design of a business model and funding arrangement as well as capacity building for Unit staff. Canadian technical assistance supports centralised management of ethics and integrity, improved policy compliance, and capacity building of the new unit to provide advisory support on corruption related misconduct cases.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) strengthened centralised oversight and management of ethics and integrity at all levels of government; (2) improved ability of the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) to provide strategic advice and technical assistance to other government departments; and (3) improved professional conduct in all spheres of government.

Results achieved as of the end of the project in March 2025 include : (1) developed the Ethics and integrity unit through project assistance that is now the lead government entity responsible for conflict of interest, proactive disclosures, advocacy and communications, investigations, and discipline management; (2) the Unit provided technical assistance to 33 national and 46 provincial South African government departments; (3) provided training on discipline management, conflict of interest, harassment and lifestyle investigations to 6,128 public servants in South Africa; (4) enjoyed credibility at the highest levels of government including membership in the National priority crime operational committee, the Zondo commission responsible for combatting corruption and the National anti-corruption advisory committee; (5) developed numerous guides, documents and procedures that strengthened prevention to combat corruption (6) supported South Africa's first national and provincial policy on the prevention and elimination of harassment in the workplace; (7) completed a consolidated conflict of interest guide made available and accessible for all public servants; (8) developed a practical guide, strategy and directive to strengthen the disciplinary management process within government; and (9) developed and launched a website for the Ethics and integrity unit to enhance its online presence.