Global corruption snapshots: 27 Nov 2014

Turkey bans reporting on corruption investigation of ex-ministers A Turkish court has banned media from reporting on a parliamentary investigation into corruption allegations against four ex-ministers, a move the opposition says amounts to protecting thieves. – UK Reuters 2014 Corruption Perceptions Index to be launched 3 December This year’s index ranks 175 countries/territories by their Read more >

AG: no penalties for officials who abuse systems

By Valencia Talane Wasteful expenditure and the flouting of procurement processes in government will continue because there are simply no consequences for errant officials who abuse systems without shame. This is the view of auditor-general Kimi Makwetu, who on Wednesday presented the latest audit report on provincial and national departments in Cape Town. Makwetu was Read more >

How will SA fare in the 2014 CPI?

Transparency International’s (TI) 20th Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) will be released on 3 December. This year's index ranks 175 countries or territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption. The lower the score, which falls between 100 and 0, the more corrupt the country is perceived to be. In 2013 South Africa did not Read more >

Corruption’s role in the grim trade of humans

South Africa is an important cog in the global human trafficking mechanism – the country is a source, destination and transit point for the trade. According to legal research company LexisNexis, which released its human trafficking awareness index earlier this month, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Bloemfontein and Durban form part of the major routes. The 2014 global Read more >

Private sector is not untainted

Dear Corruption Watch, I understand that when a private citizen or firm bribes a public official to secure a contract, both are involved in corrupt conduct and are subject to the anti-corruption act. But what if a private sector supplier bribes a procurement officer in a private firm? And can conduct that only involves private Read more >

Eating away at public funds

Last month finance minister Nhlanhla Nene tabled his first mid-term budget report in Parliament. Like his predecessor Pravin Gordhan, he asked for departments to take measures to cut down on spending. But his words have not been heeded by all. A report in the Times reveals that the Mpumalanga legislature is not about to allow Read more >

Arms deal’s Hlongwane to testify today

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Update: Fana Hlongwane did not show at the Seriti Commission yesterday. His lawyers are negotiating with evidence leaders for terms of his appearance – including a ban on cameras in the room. He has managed to remain in the shadows despite his vast wealth and powerful connections. But that is set to Read more >

Justice for Lawrence Moepi

The murderers of Lawrence Moepi learnt on Thursday that they would spend the rest of their lives in jail for their crime, just over a year after they brutally shot the forensic auditor at his workplace in Johannesburg. Mpho Nkosi and Remember Siphoro were also denied leave to appeal by the South Gauteng High Court Read more >

Global corruption snapshots: 20 Nov 2014

Portugal Interior Minister quits over corruption probe Portugal's interior minister has resigned following an investigation into alleged corruption linked to the allocation of residence permits. Miguel Macedo said he was not implicated in the scandal but was resigning to preserve the credibility of state institutions. Police arrested 11 people, including the head of the country's Read more >