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Corruption and HIV/AIDS - Put the HIV/AIDS resources where the crisis is
Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-Southern Africa)
ACT Ref: 1/12/OC - (Public)
News Service No: 1
December 01, 2005

As we recognise and celebrate the World Aids Day, Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa (ACT-Southern Africa) urges individuals and institutions entrusted with HIV/AIDS resources to remain ethical and desist from using the resources for personal gratification at the expense of the affected and infected populations.

There are increasing reports where HIV/AIDS resources are not benefiting the intended beneficiaries through acts of corruption.

ACT-Southern Africa defines corruption as any conduct or behaviour by any person or institution in which power, office, authority or privilege is misused for personal gain. In most cases corruption is manifested through acts of bribery, speed money or embezzlement, fraud, extortion, influence peddling, nepotism, abuse of power, favouritism among others.

In the area of HIV/AIDS, we have noted with great concern that there are increasing reports of the misuse of HIV/AIDS resources by those entrusted to deal with the pandemic. Such misuse takes the form of theft of Anti-retroviral (ARV) drugs and HIV/AIDS resources, distribution of resources to relatives and friends, using resources for leisure, failure by some states to prioritise HIV/AIDS issues, lack of mainstreaming of HIV/AIDS into institutional budgets among others. What is more appalling is that the scourge scatters across all social strata.

Whilst we recognise and celebrate this important day, ACT-Southern Africa is calling upon SADC member states, local authorities, NGOs, CBOs, churches, traditional organisations and others to take action against all those found to be misusing HIV/AIDS resources for personal gratification or gain.

Contact details:
Anti-Corruption Trust of Southern Africa
Kutlawanong Democracy Centre
357 Visagie Street
Cnr Visagie and Prinsloo Streets
Pretoria 0001
South Africa.

Email: actsouthernafrica@gmail.com
Cell: +27-83-708 3096. (Heather van Niekerk)
Cell: +27 82 696 6948. (Dr Ernest Maigurira)
Fax +27-12-320 8158

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