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South Africa already has a public protector, an independent investigator who has been lauded for her vigorous pursuit of corruption in high places. The country's media also is aggressive in reporting on corruption. Steven Friedman, director of South Africa's Centre for the Study of Democracy, welcomed Corruption Watch but also called for a broader approach, saying the business people who bribe greedy politicians also are responsible for corruption. In its corruption index, Transparency International ranked South Africa 64th worst of 183 countries and territories in 2011, down from 54 of 178 the previous year. A separate survey of the general public in South Africa in 2010 found 62 percent believed corruption has worsened over the three previous years. "Corruption is still quite a persistent problem" in South Africa, said Finn Heinrich, Transparency's research director. "Corruption is still very, very widespread, if not increasing." Last year, President Jacob Zuma suspended the national police chief and fired a Cabinet minister caught up in a scandal over leasing police headquarters buildings. Zuma also fired another Cabinet minister who an independent investigator said used taxpayer money to live extravagantly. ___ Online:
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