Fraud, Corruption and COVID-19: Rules and Regulations Fallacy Exposed

Abstract

The pandemic has brought about the experience never seen before and challenges of human suffering, coupled with a lot of economic uncertainty on the global stage.  The crisis can easily create corruption and fraudulent activities. Consequently, it is of paramount importance that both the government and private sectors work together to avert the huge devastation by the pandemic. As such, other risks will emerge in the short to long-term as the consequences and impact of this pandemic unfold. Addressing and identifying corruption are therefore high in the scale of importance and crucial to the survival of the people. Gaining public confidence is very important as all countries around the world seize themselves in the fight against COVID-19.This study is therefore intended to guide those who are responsible for the crafting of laws, policy makers, law enforcement authorities, and the private sector and donator agencies, and those who make appointment of public officers to ensure that the world-wide response to the COVID-19 pandemic is not undermined by corruption and bribery as its major objective.The survey design was used in the study.  Articles were collected from targeted Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) member states and compare with some European and Latin American countries. The articles were surveyed for information regarding policies, rules regulations and the type of people who handled the acquisition of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).It was observed that while rules and regulations might have been in place, the lack of appropriate personnel to carry out the function was a major blow.  Those who were appointed were either politically connected or lack the necessary characteristics to perform such noble duties.  Many concentrated on lining up their pockets and those of their friends. People lacked integrity, compassionate and the understanding of the impact of the COVIC-19 to the generality of the people.Regulations alone are not enough, since people can choose to ignore them.  It is the integrity, which in most cases was lacking, people who are balanced and complete and have competency, humility and coverage to say NO to corruption fraudulent activities.Governments take for granted the attitudes of the citizens concerning the behaviour of some government officials. When these issues are raised, those in positions of authority take such issues as minor. This is evidenced by what TI experienced in Brasil where they did not get joy in trying to get information regarding reported corruption.It was also recommended that it might be necessary to publicise the names of those who are appointed to public offices so that the public can comment on them before they are appointed.  Ministers who are appointed are not appointed to perform only the mandate of their political parties but that of the nations at large.It is further recommended that those in the public office should be selected on the basis of honesty and integrity and not political affiliation or connections. They should be people who are willing to serve the public irrespective of the benefits accruing to the offices they will be occupying. They should also have a thorough understanding of social forces that can perpetuate the corrupt practices.

Keywords: COVID-19, corruption and fraud, Huwan, rules and regulations

DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/12-12-03

Publication date:June 30^th 2021