South Africans lack confidence in the ability of law enforcement agencies to tackle corruption - study

CAPE TOWN - A new study has revealed the lack of confidence South Africans have in the ability of law enforcement agencies to tackle corruption. 
 
According to Corruption Watch's latest survey, a third of the people surveyed have no confidence at all in the laws designed to combat corruption. 
 
The anti-corruption watchdog said that tackling graft would be a key factor for voters in the upcoming elections.
 
Corruption Watch surveyed 1,500 respondents in all provinces. 
 
Two-thirds of them indicated they were sceptical towards agencies whose job it is to combat corruption. 
 
Just under half of them also displayed low levels of confidence in the country’s corruption laws. 
 
Corruption Watch's campaign coordinator, Mzwandile Banjathwa: "Only 20% expressed confidence in our ability to fight corruption."
 
The research also shows ordinary citizens have not only lost trust in politicians but are also distrusting of state institutions. 
 
More respondents expressed confidence in civil organisations, the media, legal and accounting firms to expose and address corruption than in state bodies. 
 
"Respondents had less trust in elected and appointed officials. On average, they gave higher ratings of strong truthfulness or untrustfulness to organisations such as Chapter Nine institutions."
 
As many as 700 respondents reported their own corruption experiences, with at least 24% of them owning up to offering a gift or a favour to a police officer of traffic official.