Commenting on the
announcement Keith Sendwe, CEO of CIPRO said that while fraud and
corruption was unfortunately one of the hard realities confronting
business owners the world over on a daily basis it could no longer go
unchecked in South Africa. CIPRO has vowed to lead the stand against
fraud and corruption.In what he
referred to as his “clarion call to South African businesses” Sendwe
said that now was the time to take the fight against fraud and
corruption to a whole new level. “It is imperative that everyone
realises that the onus to fight corruption rests on the shoulders of
each and every individual, and in each and every company. We live in a
country where we all have to take hands to eradicate poverty and
establish a healthy, competitive economic environment. Those that are
involved in fraud and corruption, literally steal a better life away
from their fellow human beings.”“We have started
within our own organisation by taking tangible steps to ensure a
corruption-free environment and are at present, amongst other things,
working actively to validate the integrity of our data. This includes
verifying the legitimacy of all registered entities within CIPRO.
Leading by example it is our intention to take our message of sound
corporate governance to each and every registered entity within South
Africa,” said Sendwe. As part of CIPRO’s
anti fraud and corruption campaign Sendwe called on all South African
business owners to throw their weight behind its stance against
corruption. “If every business owner takes the responsibility upon
themselves to ensure that they appoint accounting officers and auditors
that are both legitimate and trustworthy, we will make huge strides in
establishing a corruption-free environment.”He added that
corruption is not just the obvious act of meddling with figures, but it
starts with every employee that makes an ill-considered decision to his
or her own benefit and to the detriment of the company or organisation
that they represent. “Think of the consequences of your actions. Even
if you perform the most insignificant act of corruption, the ripple
effect can mean that you create considerable harm to businesses and
many thousands of honest, hard-working South Africans. You can make a
difference and help create a better life for all South Africans,” says
Mr Sendwe.
In 2008 CIPRO added more than 260 000 new South African organisation
entities to their database and they hope to improve this significant
quantity in 2009. “CIPRO is every South African’s gateway to formal
economic participation, but in order to achieve that we call on every
South African’s integrity and co-operation in fighting corruption.” Assist CIPRO in
rooting out fraud and corruption in 2009 by supplying them with all the
necessary information on your organisation and by informing them of all
changes. This will ensure that CIPRO can inform you timeously of any
changes that may have an effect on your organisation. With active
participation you will not only improve your own organisation, but you
will also help to create work opportunities and thus ensure a better
future for all South Africans.
15 May 2009
