SOUTH AFRICAN APPOINTED INTO
WORLD BANK ANTI-CORRUPTION DEPARTMENT
The
head of South Africa's Scorpions crime-fighting unit, Leonard
McCarthy, has been appointed to lead the World Bank's
anti-corruption department, a day after the South African
government said it would disband the unit.
World Bank President, Robert
Zoellick, said in a statement, that the South African President,
Thabo Mbeki, had agreed to release McCarthy from service to take
up the position as Vice President of the bank's Department of
Institutional Integrity on the thirtieth of June.
The World Bank anti-corruption
unit investigates fraud and corruption in development projects,
financed by the global development agency in developing
countries, and McCarthy will lead an overhaul of the department.
Zoellick said “McCarthy was
recognized worldwide for his integrity, independence and
effectiveness in fighting corruption and strengthening good
governance."
McCarthy's appointment comes a
day after Mbeki's government agreed to dissolve the Scorpions,
bowing to pressure from supporters of his rival and head of the
governing African National Congress, Jacob Zuma, who accused it
of political abuse.
REUTERS
