Examples of strong legal action against this offence are few and far between

"The results demonstrate that countries which are perceived as the most corrupt are also those plagued by long-standing conflicts, which have torn their governance infrastructure," said the group in its Corruption Perceptions Index report.

The most corrupt countries were listed as Somalia, Afghanistan, Burma, Sudan, Iraq, Chad and Uzbekistan.

Also at the top of the list were Guinea and Equatorial Guinea.

The US was listed in 19th place among the least corrupt nations, with criticism of its failure to properly oversee its financial sector.

The least corrupt government was New Zealand, followed by Denmark, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Netherlands, Australia and Canada.

South Africa does not feature among the world's most corrupt countries, and we should take heart from that.

But there are alarming signs that all is not well.

The current trial of the former police commissioner has unearthed much evidence of the free and easy relationship between state officials and those with money and influence in the private sector.

The ANC has frequently warned that it will not tolerate corruption, but examples of strong legal action against this offence are few and far between.

There is mounting evidence of low-level corruption involving state officials from police officers to housing department officials.

Stopping the rot requires more than political solutions, such as removal from office. It also requires hard-hitting legal action against those who are involved.

> 2009 Corruption Perception Index (SA ranked 55th out of 180 countries)