The African Institute of Corporate Citizenship (AICC) is concerned about news confirming the disbanding of the Directorate of Special Operations, South Africa?s specialised unit located within the independent National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) dedicated to fighting corruption and organised crime known as the Scorpions.

?With this decision, South Africa has compromised its anti-corruption advances?, said Matthew Clarke, communications officer of AICC. ?We at AICC would have hoped that The Scorpions unit and the crimes it could stop would not fall victim to political battles. The unit has a successful track record of investigating and prosecuting.?

The chain of events leading to the disbanding of the Scorpions unit was initiated by an African National Congress (ANC) party National Executive Council (NEC) meeting resolution issued in December. This is troubling given that some NEC members were under investigation by the Scorpions. In this context, the disbanding deals a serious blow to the integrity of the ruling ANC party, the Cabinet and the government of South Africa.

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The Angolan government has consistently mismanaged its substantial oil revenues and, despite rhetorical commitments, has yet to demonstrate a meaningful commitment to reform. In recent years, literally billions of dollars in oil revenues have illegally bypassed the central bank and remain unaccounted for. Such missing revenues reflect a failure of government accountability more generally and are directly linked to the Angolan government?s continuing failure to foster institutions that uphold the rule of law and human rights.

The sums involved are staggering. From 1997 to 2002, unaccounted for funds amounted to some U.S.$4.22 billion. In those same years, total social spending in the country?including Angolan government spending as well as public and private initiatives funded through the United Nations? Consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal?came to $4.27 billion. In effect, the Angolan government has not accounted for an amount roughly equal to the total amount spent on the humanitarian, social, health, and education needs of a population in severe distress.

Due at least in part to such mismanagement and corruption, the government also has impeded Angolans? ability to enjoy their economic, social, and cultural rights. It has not provided sufficient funding for essential social services, including healthcare and education. As a result, millions of Angolans continue to live without access to hospitals and schools, in violation of the government?s own commitments and human rights treaties to which it is a party.

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