The Efficasy Of Disability Grant Disbursement Mechanisms, Views Of Umgungundlovu District Staff At The South African Social Security Agency.
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PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION (2021) 58(2): 6813-6826 ISSN: 00333077
The Efficasy Of Disability Grant Disbursement Mechanisms, Views Of
Umgungundlovu District Staff At The South African Social Security
Agency.
Mthokozisi Sydney Luthuli
School of Public Administration and Economics, Faculty of Management Sciences, Durban University of
Technology, KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa. E-mail: mthokozisil1@dut.ac.za
ABSTRACT
This article notes significant views from disability grant policy experts regarding the strategies adopted as
mechanisms for disability grant disbursement. The discourse followed here critically evaluates the challenges
and inputs pertaining to structures such the disability grant policy, associated frameworks, system errors and
related inefficiencies as experienced by the South African Social Security Agency of the Pietermaritzburg.
Social scientists in many fields observed strengths and weaknesses of disability grant instruments, the
ineffectiveness in disbursement and skills development required to enhance efficient social security service
delivery, enablement and involvement of partners in various organisations. Using a qualitative approach, this
theoretical article contends that the disability grant policy executers plays a significant role in cooperating with
disability grant policy-makers to deliver the disability grants to beneficiaries. Even though there are many role
players at the social security agency multi-level governance with varying resource needs and attentiveness,
however there are still gaps in the mechanisms adopted by the government to provide disability grants of
beneficiaries in South Africa. On that account, it is critical for the South African government through SASSA
agencies to observe and assess the effectiveness of mechanisms used to disburse disability grants to provide
rigorousness in social systems for service delivery improvement.
Key words: disbursement, disability, grants, policy, mechanisms
Article Received: 18 October 2020, Revised: 3 November 2020, Accepted: 24 December 2020
INTRODUCTION accurately provide the grant to beneficiaries
correctly and on time (South African Government,
The Social Security Disability Grants (SSDG) pay 2020).
beneficiaries a particular fixed amount as a social
relief of distress benefit to qualifying persons living SSDG in South Africa is immersed in system errors,
with disability for about over a year. The South fraud and scarcity of resources. In May 2020, the
African government established this strategy as a South African Government issued an article by Se-
legislation measure to help support the disabled Anne Rall that reported on SASSA glitches that left
individuals gain a source of income following the thousands of grant beneficiaries stranded without
lack of ability to enter labour market (Abel-Smith, cash following system technical faults. In
2019, ISSA, 2016). Crucial for human right furtherance, Paddy (2020) recounted on incidents
consideration (ISSA, 2016) SSDG is a vital where SASSA was alleged to have turned disability
ingredient of government spending in variously grant applicants away after they were confirmed by
meant to encourage inclusivity and prevent a medical doctor to satisfy the set requirements for
marginalisation by ameliorating the disabled citizen getting R 1 860 monthly grant by compelling them
livelihoods through income gap reduction strategies to register for special covid-19 grant as opposed to
(Cai & Yue, 2017). disability grant. Meanwhile, the South African
Critical as this grant may be, the disability grant Minister of Finance pronounced that as of the early
long-term plans does not appear dependable and beginning of February 2020 the disability grant pay
secured as the errors in disability grant mechanisms will increment from R1 695 to a considerable R
prove the policy insufficient and unable to 1 780 for an estimate of over a million disability
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grant payees (SAnews, 2019), which is just one of implementation of government law. Each
the 10 other categories of social grants that pays specific practice of government
beneficiaries per month. Convictions of disability jurisprudence, is an action of policy
grant fraudulent scams of about over R750 000 that application.
was lost to associated crimes have been noticed by
(Mthethwa, 2018). In a double measure, the SASSA Peters (2000) advanced to the grounds of
lost about R68 million in government spending Institutional theory by pronouncing the dichotomy
investigating cases related to fraud and devising of public policy that demanded implementation to
new ways of dealing with social disability grant be applied in respect of enduring rules, culture,
crimes. Reports of this nature became the practices and structures set conditions for behaviour
justification that led the researcher to undertaking and action. The regulation of Institutional theory is
the study evaluating the effectiveness of the also premised on the sought-after policy functions
mechanisms used by SASSA in UMgungundlovu of government that account for the flexibility,
district under the KwaZulu-Natal province to suitability and survival facets of various institutions
disburse disability grants. through evaluating the social behaviours in
processes and practice that stem from policies,
In furtherance, a warning has been issued by norms, and procedures (Richard, 2004).
Flaherty & Tatum (2019) to the world-wide
governments that the social security costs are Abstracting from the emergence and expansion of
predictably expected to surpass the total incomes of Institutional theory, Raffaelli and Glynn (2013)
2020 for many governments since this observation observes the following distinct paradigms:
was last seen in 1982. It was imperative to assess
what is obtaining in other countries who disburse 1. Paradigm 1: the institutional continuity
disability grants, both in European and African to activation paradigm, 1900–1926.
ascertain the impact and remedial measures they 2. Paradigm 2: the new public governance
have implemented to tackle disability grant (NPG) paradigm, 1927–present.
disbursement challenges. Although service delivery 3. Paradigm 3: Market Failure Paradigm,
contexts may differ but there are many 1952–present.
commonalities that can assist the South African 4. Paradigm 4: implementation for
government improve the disability grant service management theory shifting paradigm,
delivery sector. 1942–present.
5. Paradigm 5: organisational diversity
paradigm, 1970–present.
Conceptualisation and theoretical framework 6. Paradigm 6: the paradigm of governance,
1990–present.
Institutional theory: new public governance in
relation to disability grant disbursement processes Matsiliza (2020, 297) on paradigm 6 of governance,
posits that the policy implementers in varying
In the timely 1990s, social scientists across the government administrations emphasise more on the
globe reconceptualised institutional theory as an efficiency and sustenance projected towards the
instruction that is inferable and basis on the customs entire welfare of the public, governed by
of government intercession and how they participation of different role players with varying
impression the broad-ranging welfare of the public. interests that operates on the subject of government
The inceptive precision of institutional theory, establishment and policy adaptation.
given by Lawrence and Shadnam (2008), proffer
the discipline as: Many social scientists contend that governments
logically expedite disability grant policy connection
The ground of disbursement as a ground of with European, African and devolved business
policy... The object of policy studies is to associates to set the seal on South Africans
liberate regulatory mechanisms from the disbursement policy dialogues. Nevertheless,
uncertainty and excessiveness of empiric diverse social scientists in policy note the
policy instruments and laid down as over uniqueness of Institutional Theory as a field and as
basics that are placed earnestly in clear- an ingenuity. Contemporary condition (Paradigm 2)
headed principles ... Institutional theory is tugs at the heart strings of the new public
the exhaustive and methodical governance and has demonstrated that the
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government operates in a fraud and inefficiency impact of service delivery relies on the effective and
force field, with many controversies from various efficient policy implementation. As observed by
disability grant stakeholders with varying interests. the government of the Republic of South Africa
Grant disbursement emerged strongly in the current (1996), certain values of the new public governance
democratic era, although governments are practice encourage high standards of proficient
navigating towards remodelling their mechanisms morals that must be reinforced and upheld
that have been enlightened by new public professionally and successfully in order to
governance. administer resources economically and for the
public good. In the context of disbursement, public
In this topical decennium, governance is growing good must without prejudice, account for disability
the policy administration prospect and has laid more grant service delivery that is lawful, developmental
emphasis towards government servicing and and transparent.
responsibility on its charge to satisfy the business of
other partners, which contain non-government and
classified sectors. In observing the responsibility of Literature review
the conditions in refining policy regulatory Disability grant policy: strengths versus
practices, Abbo et al., 2015) distinguish that weaknesses
gauging of policy functioning must be feasible,
practicable, perceptible and merged by shareholders The pronouncement made on the Social Assistance
beneficial to meeting goals at a set out period. Act (13 of 2004) posits that citizenry are considered
to be challenged with disability if they are (1) within
The South African administration directs policy the prescribed age (18), (2) owing to individual
improvement next to the rules of new public mental or physical disability, (3) unfit for any
governance. labour or employment placement by virtue of
Raffaelli and Glynn (2013) argues that new public somewhat service which is the means needed to
governance is unavoidable for modern governments enable every citizenry to afford their maintenance.
that are prone to improve their policy redesign for Disability Grant Distribution Process
service delivery improvements. Hayagreeva, Calvin
and Mayer (2000) concurs that new public De Paoli (2018) spell out that the criteria
governance leaves hereditament of policy utilised to assign disability grants is
improvements that illustrate many of the new public grounded on asset evaluation of applicants,
governance diversification during the establishment means testing (evaluation of income
of agencies for service delivery. The new public thresholds) and the medical assessments.
governance delivers enlightenment on the inclusion The distribution of disability grant is
of private sector ethos of functionality on how to accrued with allegations of fraud and
rationalise government institutions. In that fashion, maladministration (Gabrielle, 2019).
the contemporary era has put forward precept for SASSA agrees that provision of disability
the pedagogy of effective policy implementation, grant is based on the medical conditions
which should set in motion skilful workforce and the level of disability of that specific
through primitive and traditional customary citizenry (de Paoli, 2017). Hanass (2018)
governance policy and European philosophies and contended that social protection
reliance as part of the policy teaching practice. The mechanisms ought to be distributed
praxis of successful policy implementation has been justifiably in order to effectively respond to
improved meaningfully in post-apartheid South the needs of the physically challenged than
Africa. The current and former government just concentrating on the disability rank of
administration brings about many policy awareness the applicants.
strategies that address fraud and maladministration
which is meant to progress and instil policy Growing call for disability grants of South
consciousness when disability grants are disbursed. Africa
Grounded on the view of a policy developmental Kiregu, Murandahabi et.al, (2016) noticed
position, it is important for the South African social that higher figures (15%) of the worldwide
security institutions to realise that they are charged population are for the people living with
with a responsibility of embracing available policy varying forms of disability, and the figures
measures when disbursing grants, as the positive appeared higher in Africa at a considerable
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(19%). Similarly, UNESCO (2010) dependence by ignoring visible fraud and
discovered that about 3000 million of the maladministration. This was also noticed
African continent population face by Potts (2011) who revealed that disability
significant disability challenges. Needless grants encourage citizenry to depend more
to say that these bourgeoning numbers on on government unduly than immersing
the inherent challenges facing persons themselves with labour they are physically
living with disability is not a phenomenon fit to do. Broadkin (2012) is of the opinion
affecting only developing countries, that it is significant to bring policy into line
howbeit a whole worldwide. Statistics SA with practice as the gap tends to promote
(2011) demonstrated that there was a fraudulent events.
growing number of people living with
disability in South Africa which was about METHODOLOGY
2.9 million when counting from the
population of 51.8 million (5.6%) in 2011. Sampling and data collection
It was discovered that a burgeoning 8.4% This inquiry used an exploratory case design. The
(n=243 600) of the KwaZulu-Natal probe focused on gaining full understanding of the
province citizenry live with different kinds mechanisms that are used by SASSA to pay out
of disabilities. Armstrong and Burger disability grants of South Africa. Guided by the
(2014) noticed that the KwaZulu-Natal suggestion of Given (2008), which posits that the
province had a significant number of social researchers are allowed to use focus groups
assistant claimants with the figures adding meetings in a case design study, the researcher
to 3, 761 662. Fiszbein and Schady (2015) thereafter identified participants who are experts of
also touched on the number of social grant social disability grant policy at the SASSA (n=10)
beneficiaries that showed significant and another from a non-profit organisation
growth in the year 2015. On the same vein, recognised as the Association of the Physically
Makundi (2009) ascribed these growing Challenged (n=5), which was also inclusive of 30
numbers altogether with substantial beneficiaries of disability grant. All respondents fall
expenditure to impecunious policy within the geographical locations of
frameworks governing social assistance UMgungundlovu district. Critical for one’s
and forbearing process and consciousness consideration, it is important to realise that the
programmes across South Africa (Mitra, specified groups formed part of this multiple case
2010). design research. Purposive sampling was used to
Fraudulent activities around disbursement select the two groups namely: (1) beneficiaries and
of disability grants (2) experts following the advice (Patton, 2002),
since this particular group was identified as parties
Evidence shows that policy application
that are directly affected by disability grant policy
laydown and dishonest activities around
areas of operation which clearly uses specific
payments of social grants has become a
mechanisms to satisfy this type of grant policy
habitual trait at the SASSA inter-alia,
measures. Selecting specified respondents was
Paddy (2020) reported on events where
aground on the fact that they share critical insights
SASSA was presumed to have turned
and valid perceptions in relation to disability grant
disability grant claimants away when they
policy issues. The study was concluded in a two-
were confirmed by a medical doctor to
week period. The undertaking was in a form of
satisfy the standard requirements for
interviews which was conducted in light of the 13
getting an amount of R 1 860 that is paid
identified areas of UMgungundlovu district that are
monthly as a grant by government
affected by disability grant disbursement.
convincing them to rather apply for a
special covid-19 grant as against disability Purpose
grant. Grey literature such as annual reports
and charts talks about tireless efforts that The key aim of this inquiry was to draw out
the identical governments have uses to curb perceptions by extracting empirical data from the
fraudulent practices. Critical as these field of participants with the intention to make a
operations are, social scientists such as policy way forward. The data were to comprise
Mitra (2018) still criticised the SASSA observations, emotions, perceptions tagging along
disability grant policy for creating citizenry the heart strings of the topographical features and so
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forth. Although this bared a possibility of being RESULTS
drawn as secondary data, suffice is to mention that
the researcher excluded this approach following the Sample features analyses –Statistical variables
realisation that it carries a potential to disregard Table 1 shows the factual data of all the policy
certain important parts of the evidence that might expert participants, where it was observed that
not have been acquired by other social scientists in disability grants is typically pervaded by only the
the field, which clearly would have made data not black workforce who are grant experts at (100%),
to be pertinent. Instruments included the use of while the white is 0%, coloured 0%, Indian 0% and
qualitative questionnaires, which the aim was to remnant other option on the interview schedule
gather pertinent data that addresses the objectives of creating another meagre 0%. The age of
the inquiry. This article only unfolds data which investigated expert respondents ranged between the
addressed the effectiveness of the mechanisms that age 18 to over 50. Gender demographics had a mean
are utilised by SASSA to disburse disability grants. of 30% (n=5) males and the remaining 70% (n=10)
At first, the researcher interviewed respondents were females.
individually, and thereafter used focus group
meetings with the idea to bring forth more
information regarding their views of the efficacy of A normal 20% of respondents were from the offices
the mechanisms that are used to distribute the that are situated in rural areas (Impendle village)
disability grant. In furtherance, the researcher while the 80 % balance of offices were located in
made a way for expert respondent suggestions in urban areas. The sample table of (Serekan’s, 2013)
order to help improve the disability grant policy. allows that a sample population of 100 (n=100%) to
Thematic codes were utilised to arrange and analyse hold interviews with a minimum number of 15
extracted data, blending it with appropriate (n=10%). Since the study used a qualitative
theoretical plans as the case plan emerged as paradigm, the case of two selected organisations
suggested by Yin (2003). Matched-patterns, (SASSA & Association for the Physically
descriptions, structures, and duplication philosophy Challenged) was informed by Serekan’s sample
formed part of the study dynamics as Yin (2003) table with the population sizes ranged and expected
emphasised. appropriate percentages placed in that order. In
short, the population of 100 selected expert
respondents was deduced into a total number of 15
expert respondents for interviews.
Table 1. Oddity of expert respondents
Statistical variables N Total sample
(n=7)%
Gender
Male 5 30%
Female 10 70%
Age
20-29 0 0%
30-35 0 0%
36-39 3 30%
40-50 4 70%
Over 50 0 0%
Forgot 0 0%
Ethnicity
Black 7 100%
White 0 0%
Coloured 0 0%
Indian 0 0%
Other 0 0%
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The data provided by participants on table 2. agrees It was important to assess the policies that are
with the findings made by (de Paoli, 2012) which shaped and utilised by SASSA in order to create
revealed that the standards utilised to allocate consciousness of the DG policy rules to initiators
disability grants ought to be founded on the medical having measured the volatile state of SASSA as an
conditions and the level of disability of that specific institution. The investigator infused Hargrave and
individual. Similarly, the emphasised flaws of the De Ven (2006)’s collective action model for
DG policy accessed by this inquiry settle the results institutional innovation to circumnavigate on
of (Baron 2017) which uncovered that the disability experts’ opinions regarding the competence of
grant application process has inconsistencies advanced DG policy strategies that are designed to
because of indistinct guidelines. What was new meet beneficiary needs. These frameworks are
with this probe was that the study brought forward important because they emphasise on institutional
several concerns of staff who stressed that they are change and are concerned with the dialectical
not adequately trained, complained about the lack procedures in which supporting actors accept the
of the resources for employees to meet with the set contradictory views, which challenge each other
goals of the DG policy, lack of communication and and draw in political conducts with the aim to make
other gaps in the policy, which warrants for corrupt and transform institutions. It was similarly
officials to manoeuvre corruption to enrich significant that this investigation custom itself with
themselves with the money that is meant to pay the provisions prescribed in Section 33 (1) and (2)
beneficiaries. Zucker (1987) postulates a very solid of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa
dissension that can also be found in certain in order to assess the regulatory instruments that
legislative framework sections, which says that help SASSA to fight fraud and inefficiency, as the
institutions are vigorous due to the eruptive settings sector include enabling requirements that has
in which they operate. precise confines for adaptable public institutions,
which are legitimacy, sensibleness, bureaucratic
justice and responsibility.
Table 2: Reported disability grant policy guidelines of SASSA
Disability grant policy Strengths of the policy Weaknesses of the policy
eligibility criteria
According to respondent’s The seven interviewed Interviewed respondents
feedback the disability grant respondents brought forward expressed their views around
policy has outlined the the following as disability the noticed disability grant
following guidelines to be met grant policy strengths: weaknesses, which remarks on
by beneficiaries, when the following:
applying for disability grant of
South Africa: DG policy is underpinned
An applicant must be an by democratic principles Lack of adequate policy
supported by Chapter 2 indoctrination to existing,
SA citizen,
Be a permanent of the Constitution of the especially the new
resident/refugee, Republic of South Africa, personnel by government,
Must be between 18 to 59 which deals with Human Shortage of resources to
years of age, Rights, adequately implement the
The policy operates policy,
Must submit a medical
report confirming under the influence of Shortage of adequately
disability not older than Human Rights trained staff,
three months at the date Commission, Shortage of facilities to
of application, The DG policy comprises accommodate the needs
Must not be maintained of numerous diversified of the policy,
or cared for in a state flagship campaigns Poor communication
institution, aimed at supporting the platforms,
needs of people living DG policy gaps which
with disability, allow for rife
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Must not be in receipt of The DG policy shares a maladministration by
another social grant in direct link with various corrupt officials.
respect of him or herself. Human Rights agencies
across the globe.
Challenges facing disbursement processes grant. The SASSA policy makers maintained that
this was one of the instruments active at this
Disability grant mechanisms: fraud and inefficiency institution to control scams and inadequacy. The
Table 2 demonstrates the regulatory instruments matter of agreement renewals was also mentioned
recognised by SASSA to fight fraud and as another tool to fight fraud and corruption.
inefficiency as providing by the experts. Apparently, the alleged hostility on dishonest
contract renewals between SASSA and post-offices
First, the table inhibits participants’ perceptions on were at that particular time experiencing evaluation
the governing tools, showed main issues, identified after becoming very topical on the media during the
resolutions and provided observations on the year 2018, and these issues delayed social grant
realized changes by means of a vertical reporting payments counting disability grants. The answers of
technique. The experts also drew up the SASSA authorities detailed various issues of disability
branded cards as part of the anew advanced policies grants stemming from receiving grants in retail
utilised to fight scams and inadequacy, creating outlets. Their reports revealed that there is quite a
share of the regulatory instruments that the number of cases whereby the beneficiaries’ card
government would provide form the year 2019 and were scammed, and the government was tirelessly
foregoing. trying address such described fraud cases in the last
six years
The respondents stated that the government is using
the post-offices pay points to distribute disability
.
Table 3: Efficacy of fraud and inefficiency control mechanisms
Control mechanisms Issue Solution Change
SASSA Branded cards Started Ongoing Under monitoring
Post-office payment Contract glitch Reviewed Fraud cases
reported
Retail grant pay-outs Card scams Reviewed Fraud cases
reported
Biometrics Started Afloat Fewer cases
reported
Secret pins Reproduce Investigation Cloned cards
reported
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Fraud campaigns Embezzlement Arrests Proliferating
pandemic
Fraud units Case overload Review Reported media
crime
Awareness campaigns Poor reception More campaigns Hardly any change
Table 3 shows an overwhelming majority of expert there is still a lot that has to be done to fight
participants who perceived the biometric systems the scourge of disability grant frauds and
utilised by SASSA as the very mechanisms which inefficiencies. These challenges are
frequently created chaos as they claimed the system perpetuated by other issues including
often failed to scan claimant fingerprints. About poverty, unemployment along with unclear
half of the interviewed policy officers mentioned policies whereby officials are not
that the secret pins utilised by SASSA to access adequately trained to effectively implement
disability grants have been replicated fraudulently the disability grant policy. Issues that
after beneficiary cards were cloned, and the Fraud permeate chaos were mostly the fraud,
and Corruption Management Crime Unit of SASSA maladministration and inefficiency which
was on a mission to bring culprits to book. Although is now accepted by SASSA workforce as
SASSA established the Fraud Management and existing habitual traits that are normal. In
Crime Prevention Unit as a strategy to reduce furtherance, employee morale, dishonesty
mushrooming fraud, inefficiency and and poor ethics were mentioned as other
maladministration, participants mentioned that major challenges weakening the
even though there is a number of fraud awareness disbursement policy.
campaigns created by government to fight the
scourge, a very minimal progress has been
observed. This paper argues that the government need to bring
corrupt and incompetent officials to book instead of
ignoring the issues and accepting bribes to fade
Implications issues of corruption away. This can be achieved by
applying measures encapsulated in the provisions of
The aim of this inquiry was to learn whether or not the Criminal Procedures Act of 1997, which vividly
the South African government share common social state how the government should hold good ethics
policy problems, and if the government can in order to deal with crimes of this nature. This
benchmark on some of the successful strategies study is of the view that maladministration occurs
used internationally to curb fraud and corruption. as a result of not promptly applying the ‘Promotion
The section below links the identified issues that of Administrative Act of 2000’, which stands as a
came through empirical data and provides a way piece of legislation that helps public institutions to
forward for the South African government in order make their administration more effective. The
to remedy the festival of issues that has to do with government should work towards breaking the hold
the disbursement of social disability grant between poverty nuance and disability which
permeating systems and processes with chaos and perpetuate to high demand of disability grants. The
eventually leading to poor service delivery. disability grant will improve if the government
Integrating perceptions of policy experts with a way create more job opportunities as notable most
forward regarding mechanism efficiency corruption is also influenced by a considerable
percentage of either a workforce that is employed
The empirical data showed that the on contract basis or the former personnel who stole
challenges pertaining to disbursement because they know SASSA systems from previous
instruments inadequacies, fraud and and still have access to manoeuvre corruption even
maladministration continues across after losing their jobs. Since some issues stem from
SASSA institutions of South Africa. Albeit the former administrative system which imposed
the government has introduced several marginalisation to the disabled, the government can
eradicating strategies such as international rectify this by adopting the ‘Promotion of Equality
treaties, policy collaborations and so forth,
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and Unfair Discrimination Act of 2000’, which monitoring tools which steer corruption. Utterly,
contains the provisions that helps preserve the the disability grant connected occurrences and
liberty of persons living various forms of disability. actions taken towards important challenges for the
Another useful piece of legislation that can assist accountability approach-nonetheless, the
the government reduce the levels of fraud and responsibility provision and service delivery
inappropriate administration is the application of custodians tend to thrive to present the novel
‘Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activity Act concepts for improving responsibility.
12 of 2004’, which helps institutions prevent and
combat fraud and corruption. The government can
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