Accepting gifts leads to corruption: Motlanthe

Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe has warned those in power against accepting random gifts as this could lead to corruption, The Star reported on Friday (02/05/2014).

Addressing a May Day celebration in Port Elizabeth on Thursday, Motlanthe said accepting something as small as rugby tickets could lead to being caught up in a corrupt relationship.

"Corruption is a very simple problem. Its frontline soldiers are gifts," Motlanthe was quoted as saying, directing his message to councillors, MEC, and ministers, among others.

He said people who gave gifts did not immediately ask for favours.

"They won't ask you for any favours at the time, they will just leave it and go. But one day, the same person, while you are sitting at the counter, will find themselves at the back of a long queue and then wave at you and you must make a plan for him to come to the front," Motlanthe said.

Corruption did not "announce itself with drum majorettes".

"So you must be aware and conscious to not accept these small gifts," he said. - Sapa