Joint surveys by the government and the United Nations have revealed shockingly high perceptions of corruption in South Africa, with 41 percent of respondents citing graft as one of the top problems facing the country.

Some 39 percent of the populace believe that there is "a lot of corruption", but only 11 percent of households in the country had actually experienced it, according to Public Service Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi.

The survey was conducted last year among 1 000 companies employing more than 50 people, as well as five government departments.

The joint effort between the government and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime produced the first comprehensive overview of corruption in the country.

Bribery was becoming 'accepted business practice'

A summary of the report reveals that there "is no doubt that South Africans perceive that there is a lot of corruption" in the country.

The business sector in particular (62 percent) believes corruption has become a serious issue in and for business, although it probably is not seen as an important factor in deciding on

investment - only 12 percent of respondents refrained from making a major investment because of corruption.

Some 39 percent of businesses cited crime as the major obstacle to business in South Africa; of these, 64 percent cited corruption and fraud as factors.

Actual levels of crime experienced were employee theft (49 percent), employee fraud (34 percent), outsider fraud (24 percent), approached to pay a bribe (15 percent), actually paying of a bribe (seven percent) and extortion (four percent).

More than 60 percent of businesses noted that bribery was becoming "accepted business practice", but there was a low incidence of actual bribery.

Police officers were the most vulnerable to corruption

Businesses reported the areas most vulnerable to corruption as customs (75 percent), procurement for government (74 percent), business licences/permits (68 percent), residence/work permits (65 percent), police investigations (60 percent) and business-to-business procurement (51 percent).

A total of 35 percent thought the government was doing well in fighting corruption.

Public servants generally felt positive about their role and were concerned to ensure that corruption was eliminated.

Government clients estimated that between 15 percent and 30 percent of public officials were corrupt and 10 percent believed that public servants expect to receive a bribe.

"Public officials themselves perceived clients to be corrupt in a sense of constantly seeking 'back-door solutions' to their problems", the report noted.

The surveys indicated that police officers were the most vulnerable to corruption, followed by customs, local government, home affairs and court officials.

With acknowledgements to Andre Koopman and The Star.