Strengthening democracy through investigating, prosecuting and punishing corruption in Mauritius

Abstract

There is a close relationship between democracy and corruption. Corruption has a negative effect on the functioning of political and democratic institutions. It affects the delivery of services such as education and healthcare. In order to consolidate democracy, Mauritius has adopted different measures to prevent and combat corruption. These have included the ratification of international treaties such as the United Nations (UN) Convention against Corruption, the signing of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption and the enactment of domestic law, Prevention of Corruption Act, which criminalises different corrupt activities. The purpose of this article is to discuss the jurisprudence that has emerged from courts in Mauritius interpreting and applying the different sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act and to recommend ways through which the Act could be amended or interpreted to strengthen the fight against corruption.