Corruption and political party funding

By Matthew Kruger First published on the Helen Suzman Foundation website In South Africa, the events that generate political debate are always aplenty. In the space of three days in late September, we were all especially blessed. First, the US Securities Exchange Commission alleged that Hitachi, a foreign company, had a corrupt relationship with Chancellor Read more >

Block, ANC not walking the talk on corruption

Update: John Block has resigned as finance MEC in the Northern Cape government, as ANC MPL and as provincial chairman of the ANC – a move that has come far too late. BDLive reports that the ANC says it will continue to help Block “clear his name” – despite the damning judgment against him. Five Read more >

Corruption affects everything and everybody

By Melusi Ncala It is widely accepted that the spreading of corruption erodes many facets of our society and its ramifications are serious for all concerned. There are those among us who may want to contest this sentiment, to argue that some people are immune from being victims as they are the wrongdoers. But this Read more >

Media freedom in Southern Africa – part two

Part two of our series on media freedom in the Southern African region looks at positive developments around this issue. Some countries – including South Africa – are working on abolishing the criminal defamation law, and meanwhile the African Court has ruled that jail terms for journalists found guilty of the offence, are a violation Read more >

Lifting the lid on media freedom in Southern Africa

Our new two-part series examines some of the ways that governments in Southern Africa attempt to muzzle investigative journalists. In part one, a trio of journalists who have been targeted share their individual experiences with us. Look out for part two, which looks at positive developments around this issue, tomorrow. Part one They have been Read more >

SA reputation tarnished by “brazen” Hitachi bribe

By Martin Kenney First published on Biznews.com The story of how electronics giant Hitachi bought political influence in order to win a $5.6-billion power station contract, calls into question not only the integrity of a massive company with a global reputation, but also the very integrity of the South African government. Moreover, a $19-million fine Read more >

Even pensions can be scammed

Dear Corruption Watch, I am 84 and receive a civil pension from the Government Employees Pension Fund. About 10 years ago, the GEPF sent me a letter saying my increments had been incorrectly calculated and requesting that I pay back about R32 000. I ignored the letter, thinking it was a scam. I recently received Read more >

Global snapshots: 09 October 2015

Fifa: Sepp Blatter, Michel Platini and Jerome Valcke suspended Fifa has provisionally suspended its president Sepp Blatter, secretary general Jerome Valcke and vice-president Michel Platini for 90 days. The punishments were handed out by the ethics committee of football’s world governing body, which is investigating the three over corruption allegations. – BBC.com World Bank urged Read more >

SCA clarifies the legal effect of PP findings

By Pierre De Vos First published on Constitutionally Speaking It is not easy to engage in a clear-eyed and unemotional discussion of any court judgment that deals with the legal status of the findings and remedial action issued by the office of the public protector. It may therefore be of some value to try and Read more >