Ministry of Financial Services

And
Good Governance

ANTI-
CORRUPTION
POLICY
 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Vision

Transform Mauritius as a Centre of Excellence in the promotion of wealth and good

governance.

Mission

To provide guidance and support for the enforcement of good governance, promotion of
financial services and reengineering of public sector bodies to eradicate fraud,
corruption, malpractices and irregularities in all aspects of public life and restore the
national values of the country.

Core Values

The guiding core values of all our staff are:

 Ethical Behaviour
 Efficiency
 Honesty
 Trust
 Integrity
 Responsiveness

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

1.0 Introduction

1.1 The Ministry of Financial Services and Good Governance, hereinafter referred to
as the Ministry, recognises that the risk of corruption is present and may occur in the
organisation. The Ministry is therefore committed to maintain the highest level of
integrity in the conduct of its affairs through the adoption of corruption prevention
strategies in the organisation.

1.2 This anti-corruption policy sets out the full commitment of the Ministry for the
deterrence and detection of corruption and for adherence to a culture of integrity.

2.0 Statement of Intent

2.1 The Ministry will not tolerate corruption and other malpractices in the
administration of its responsibilities, whether from inside or outside. It aims the highest
standards of conduct from staff, board members and those who have dealings with the
organisation including stakeholders and the general public. It is committed to ensuring
that the risks of corruption and the potential losses that might result are minimised.

3.0 Policy Statement

3.1 The Ministry is committed to promoting and adhering to the highest standards of
probity, transparency and accountability in the operations and management of its affairs.
Through this policy the Ministry engages itself to fully and unequivocally adopt a
zero-tolerance stance towards corruption and other malpractices and shall ensure
compliance with the anti-corruption legislation.

Anti-Corruption starts from You!

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

4.0 Anti-Corruption Commitment

4.1 The Ministry has signed the Anti-Corruption commitment developed by the ICAC
and has thus committed itself to use all available means and resources at its disposal to
combat, at all times, corruption in all its forms including the application of appropriate
prevention and detection control measures.

4.2 For the purpose of ensuring sound implementation of this policy, the Ministry will
ensure that:

 Officers are fully conversant with the anti-corruption policy.

 Adequate controls to counteract corruption are known and used within the
organization in all undertakings.
 There are clear procedures and systems to handle suspected cases of corruption.
 All its stakeholders are aware of the organization’s anti-corruption policy.

4.3 The main objective of this anti-corruption policy is to strengthen and sustain an
integrity culture within the Ministry. This will be achieved through:

 The setting-up of effective processes characterized by broad participation and

transparency.
 Regular evaluation of corruption risks, systems and procedures.
 clear formulation of goals and expected results as well as proper project
monitoring.
 continual improvement of organizational performance and corporate image.

Speak Up Against Corruption!

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

5.0 Scope and Applicability

5.1 This policy covers measures and practices of the Ministry in preventing and
combating corrupt, fraudulent, collusive or coercive practices in its activities and
operations. This policy applies to management, officers, as well as, consultants, suppliers,
contractors, outside agencies doing business, and/or any other party having a business
relationship with the Ministry.

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

6.0 Definitions

6.1 For the purpose of this policy, corruption is defined as per section 2 of the
Prevention of Corruption Act 2002, as amended.

"act of corruption" -

(a) means an act which constitutes a corruption offence; and

(b) includes -

(i) any conduct whereby, in return for a gratification, a person does or

neglects from doing an act in contravention of his public duties;

(ii) the offer, promise, soliciting or receipt of a gratification as an

inducement or reward to a person to do or not to do any act, with a
corrupt intention;

(iii) the abuse of a public or private office for private gain;

(iv) an agreement between 2 or more persons to act or refrain from

acting in violation of a person's duties in the private or public sector
for profit or gain;

(v) any conduct whereby a person accepts or obtains, or agrees to

accept or attempts to obtain, from any person, for himself or for any
other person, any gratification for inducing a public official, by
corrupt or illegal means, or by the exercise of personal influence, to
do or abstain from doing an act in the exercise of his duties to show
favour or disfavour to any person.

6.2 Sections 4 to 17 of the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002, as amended, deal with
penalties and offences. These include bribery by public official, bribery of public official,
taking gratification to screen an offender from punishment, public official using his office
for gratification, ‘traffic d’influence’ and conflict of interests.

Be Honest and Fight Corruption!

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

7.0 Responsibilities for Implementing the Anti-Corruption Policy

7.1 The responsibility to develop and coordinate the implementation of the policy
shall rest upon the Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) established for the purpose. The
ACC shall set priorities, provide advice when ethical issues arise and communicate the
policy to all levels of management and staff.

The Anti-Corruption Committee

7.2 The Deputy Permanent Secretary shall lead the project and chair all meetings of
the ACC, which shall comprise members from both operational and support departments
of the Ministry.

7.3 The Committee shall be responsible for coordinating and implementing the anti-
corruption policy. It shall develop a time-bound programme with clear and precise
deliverables and related budget. The Ministry shall designate an officer to act as
Secretary to the Committee.

7.4 The Committee shall meet on a regular basis, preferably once every month or as
decided by the Chairperson of the ACC. The Chairperson shall decide upon the setting up
of sub-committees to assist the ACC in the implementation of any initiatives decided by
the ACC.

Role of Management

7.5 It is the responsibility of managers to promote the anti-corruption policy within

their respective areas of operation. Managers are expected to (i) actively deter, prevent
and detect corruption by maintaining effective control systems and ensuring that their
staff are familiar with the policy and (ii) lead by example.

“Corruption is simply crime without

conscience.”
(George Richard Marek)

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

Role of Employees
7.6 Each employee shall read, be familiar with and strictly comply with the policy. The
organisation shall ensure that each employee is provided with a copy of this policy or
otherwise has on-line access thereto.

Role of Internal Audit

7.7 The Internal Audit has the responsibility to ensure the effectiveness and adequacy
of the Internal Control System in place. It should ensure that system is subject to regular
audit to provide assurance that it is effective in countering corruption opportunities.

8.0 Risk Assessment

8.1 The Ministry is conscious that the risk of corruption may occur in every sphere of
its activities and may evolve in the light of changing circumstances and working
environment. In its endeavour to proactively address risks of corruption, the Ministry
shall ensure that a proper risk management process is in place.

8.1 Risk assessment should focus on a thorough analysis of the functional activities in
close collaboration with officers involved in the process with a view to identifying
potential or actual corruption risk areas. Necessary corruption prevention measures
including policies and procedures should be developed to address the risks identified.
The responsibility to plan, coordinate and monitor the risk management process rests
with the ACC.

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

9.0 Handling and Reporting Corruption

Reporting suspected cases of corruption

9.1 Section 44(1) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 2002, as amended, provides that
where an officer of a public body suspects that an act of corruption has been committed
within or in relation to that public body, he shall forthwith make a written report to the
ICAC. The Ministry shall put in place measures that shall facilitate the reporting of
suspected cases in compliance with the provisions of the Act.

9.2 If an officer has reported an act of corruption to the Permanent Secretary and if
the Permanent Secretary is of the opinion that an act of corruption may have occurred,
he may refer the matter to ICAC for investigation or he may set up a committee to assist
him in determining whether there is reasonable doubt for suspicion of corruption prior
to referral of the case to ICAC for investigation.

Section 45 of the PoCA, as amended, provides that where in the

exercise of his functions, the chief executive of a public body is of

the opinion that an act of corruption may have occurred, he may

refer to the matter to ICAC for investigation.

Confidentiality
9.3 Information pertaining to complaints shall not be disclosed to any unauthorised
party.

“The accomplice to the crime of corruption is

frequently our own indifference.”
(Bess Myerson)

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

10.0 Protection of Whistle-blowers

10.1 For the purpose of this policy, a “whistle-blower” is defined as a person who
provides information to someone in authority or to the institution concerned about
alleged dishonest or illegal activities (misconduct) or any act of corruption or malpractice
occurring in an organisation.

10.1 There will be no reprisal by management against “the public official” who in good
faith reports an act of corruption or malpractice or suspected illegal and dishonest
activity or any activity that he/she has witnessed. However, disciplinary actions may be
taken against any person who knowingly makes false allegations.

11.0 Disciplinary Measures

11.1 The Ministry is committed to ensuring that this policy is duly implemented.

11.2 Disciplinary measures in accordance with established procedures will be taken

against any staff who is found guilty of a breach of the provisions contained in this policy.

“There is no compromise when it comes to

corruption.
You have to fight it.”
(A.K. Antony)

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 MINISTRY OF FINANCIAL SERVICES AND GOOD GOVERNANCE

12.0 Training and Communications

12.1 The Ministry recognises that the success and credibility of this policy depends on
effective training, communications and the awareness of officers throughout the
organisation. Management shall ensure that the anti-corruption policy is clearly
disseminated to all staff and that its contents are understood.

13.0 Review of Policy

13.1 This policy will be reviewed annually or earlier, if necessary, or in the event of any
changes in the laws and regulations that are of relevance.

14.0 Approval

…………08.11.17…………

Date
Permanent Secretary

“Fight Corruption: Be the one who helps build a

better society for all”
(Anonymous)

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