Nearly 40% of companies with more than 50 employees regard crime as a major obstacle to doing business in South Africa, and of these 64% mentioned corruption and fraud, a survey on crime and corruption reveals.

Public Service and Administration Minister Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi, however, argued that there was a gap between the reality on the ground and the perception that corruption and crime were rife.

"Altogether 39% of those saw crime as a major obstacle to doing business," said the minister, speaking today during briefing in Parliament.

Fraser-Moleketi said 12% of those polled said that they did not invest because they were worried about corruption.

The minister said the survey revealed that the sectors where bribery was most prevalent were construction, agriculture, forestry and fishing.

She added that while 62% of respondents said that bribery was becoming an acceptable business practice in South Africa, of these only 11% reported having experienced it first hand which, she said showed a marked discrepancy between the perception and the reality.

With acknowledgements to Donwald Pressly and the Business Day.