SA 'worst in personal safety': Mo Ibrahim Foundation

SA 'worst in personal safety': Mo Ibrahim Foundation
AMUKELANI CHAUKE | October, 2011

No one wins African honest government prize
Africans make economic gains, losing democracy Despite reports South Africa boasts the best constitution in the world, the country's overall governance quality has "deteriorated" between 2006 and last year, receiving the worst ranking in personal safety.
Yesterday, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, an organisation that assesses governance performance of African countries, released its report which ranked countries on 86 indicators of service delivery.

On personal safety, South Africa was rated number 44 out of 54 countries.

But South Africa received the best ranking for public management and for having the best business environment.

Though the latter has been proved by recent investments, including the US retail giant Walmart's R16.5-billion takeover of Massmart, South Africa's public management has been blasted for being plagued by service-delivery protests and corruption, by govenment officials.

In the past year, President Jacob Zuma has signed off numerous proclamations to commission the Special Investigating Unit to examine municipalities and government departments.

More recently, the public protector has been asked to investigate Public Works Minister Gwen Mahlangu-Nkabinde and Police Commissioner Bheki Cele relating to dodgy police headquarters deals worth R1.6-billion, and Co-operative Governance Minister Sicelo Shiceka for allegedly splurging on "unofficial" trips and hotel stays.

Out of 54 countries, South Africa was ranked at number five overall behind the Seychelles, Botswana and Cape Verde, with Mauritius being named the best country. Zimbabwe, Chad and Somalia are the worst three countries in Africa across four performance categories - safety and rule of law, participation and human rights, sustainable economic opportunity and human development.

Sudanese billionaire Mo Ibrahim, the founder the foundation, said: "We have seen this year that Africa's young majority are no longer willing to stand for the selective approach to governance adopted by many governments.

"The index findings echo these demands - achievements in economic management and human development, however striking, will not be realised if a democratic deficit persists.''

Though the Department of Health is forging ahead with the implementation of the National Health Insurance scheme, South Africa was ranked at number 21 in health.

( Times live)