CORRUPTION GLOSSARY – G

GIFT GIVING – a cultural practice in many societies, by which people offer presents and favours in various circumstances according to local customs. Problems arise when gift giving to and by public officials contradicts the principles of impartiality, professionalism, and meritocracy. In exchange for a gift, the official is expected to show preferential treatment to Read more >

Glossary of corruption-related terms

Glossary of corruption-related terms Do you know your baksheesh from your bribery? Your cronyism from your collusion? Read our evolving glossary of terms relating to corruption to find out what they all mean. Sources:U4 Anti-Corruption Resource CentreTransparency International A A LOOTA CONTINUA ABUSE OF POWER / OFFICE / RESOURCES / FUNCTION ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACCOUNTABILITY Read more >

CORRUPTION GLOSSARY – F

FACILITATION PAYMENTS – these are bribes, also called facilitating, speed or grease payments. They’re made to secure or expedite the performance of a routine or necessary action to which the payer actually has legal or other entitlement. FAKELAKI – this Greek term is close to the notion of ‘tip’ in meaning, but at the same Read more >

CORRUPTION GLOSSARY – E

EMBEZZLEMENT – when a person holding office in an institution, organisation or company dishonestly and illegally appropriates, uses or traffics the funds and goods they have been entrusted with for personal enrichment or other activities. ENHANCED DUE DILIGENCE – this refers to refer to Know Your Customer money laundering measures that include validation and documentation Read more >

CORRUPTION GLOSSARY – D

DEBARMENT – a company is debarred by a government or multilateral agency when it is formally prohibited from tendering for projects that the government or agency is funding (or supporting the funding for). This happens if, after enquiry and examination, that company is adjudged to have been involved in the use of corruption to secure Read more >

CORRUPTION GLOSSARY – C

CAPITAL FLIGHT – this is money that shifts out of a country, whether legally or illegally. Illegal capital flight is intended to disappear from any record in the country of origin. Earnings on the stock of illegal flight capital outside of a country do not normally return to the country of origin. Illegal flight capital Read more >

CORRUPTION GLOSSARY – B

BAKSHEESH [backsheesh, bakshis] – an Arabic term for a relatively small amount of money given to a beggar or for services rendered (as to a waiter): alms, tips, gratuity, pourboire. Where the amount of baksheesh is inflated or demands for it are illegitimate, baksheesh is synonymous with bribe or grease money. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP – a Read more >

CORRUPTION GLOSSARY – A

A LOOTA CONTINUA – variation of the phrase A luta continua – the struggle continues. The original was the rallying cry of the Frelimo movement in Mozambique’s civil war of the 1960s-1970s and has since become popular with activist organisations. The variation came to light during the Covid-19 lockdown in South Africa and wryly refers Read more >