The head of South Africa’s Scorpions crime-fighting unit, Leonard McCarthy, was appointed on Monday to head the World Bank’s anti-corruption unit.
World Bank president Robert Zoellick, in a statement, said 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 June 30.
The World Bank unit investigates fraud and corruption in development projects financed by the global development agency.
”Leonard McCarthy is recognised worldwide for his integrity, independence and effectiveness in fighting corruption and strengthening good governance,” Zoellick said.
McCarthy has held numerous positions in government, including investigating director in the Office for Serious Economic Offences, deputy attorney general of the Cape and senior public prosecutor. — Reuters