This week saw the launch of Corruption Watch, an initiative by the trade union federation, Cosatu, to halt the wholesale theft of public resources.

It was heartening that the launch was addressed by Cosatu's Zwelinzima Vavi, the Justice Minister, Jeff Radebe, and the public protector, Thuli Madonsela.

Radebe's presence - and a speech in which he pledged the government's strong commitment to the fight against graft - was significant.

It signalled that the argument that corruption was being "politicised" in an effort to bash the ruling party was no longer in vogue.

Radebe said: "Corruption is a criminal act that steals the fruit of our struggle, and we must declare it our enemy as apartheid was. If we acknowledge that corruption is a way of life in South Africa, we have lost the battle."

He added: "With corruption in government, all members must be dealt with, irrespective of rank or status."

But Radebe's strong words are at odds with the government's - and the ANC's - record.

The decision to disband the Scorpions and the fiddling with the leadership of the last credible state enemy of corruption, the Special Investigating Unit, suggest this commitment is not being followed through.

Then there is the matter of the Limpopo province. The Finance Minister, Pravin Gordhan, has outlined in great detail how finances amounting to billions of rands are being abused, but the ANC has taken no action whatsoever against provincial premier Cassel Mathale.

The Minister of National Planning, Trevor Manuel, has called for civil servants to be prohibited from involvement in business, but this has been openly opposed by some in the cabinet.

Madonsela shared a platform with Radebe, but the outcomes of her inquiries are frequently ignored or publicly challenged by ministers.

Corruption Watch is, nonetheless, a potential game-changer. What has changed is the promise that there will be electoral consequences for those who fail to deal with corruption.

The message - reiterated by Vavi at the launch - is simple: corruption diverts resources away from those who need help most.

Money taken from state coffers means fewer houses, fewer jobs and a rise in poverty.

This newspaper is backing the initiative and this week, we launch our Corruption Watch question-and-answer column in Business Times, which tackles difficult ethical questions.

When the majority of South Africans take a stand against graft, there will be nowhere for the predators to hide.

We must lend this initiative our support by not accepting corruption anywhere in our lives.