SA’s public protectors – the legacies, part two

The mixed legacy left by South Africa’s public protectors continues in part two of our three-part series, which deals with Lawrence Mushwana, the predecessor of incumbent Thuli Madonsela. Part three will look at Madonsela herself, while part one highlighted the role played by now-Judge Selby Baqwa in establishing the institution of the Public Protector. Lawrence Read more >

SA’s public protectors – the legacies, part one

Our first three-part Bua Mzansi series looks at the careers of South Africa’s three public protectors to date. Part one starts with Selby Baqwa, who helped establish the Chapter 9 institution in 1995. Parts two and three will focus on Lawrence Mushwana and Thuli Madonsela respectively. Selby Baqwa The Public Protector has become an increasingly Read more >

Corrupt Mpuma cops’ days are numbered

South Africans are used to encountering corruption in various aspects of their life, but it’s worse when the problem extends to visitors to the country. For instance, it’s worrying and embarrassing to find advice on how to approach corrupt South African traffic officers on international travel organisations such as TripAdvisor. Over the last few years Read more >

How to stop corruption: five key ingredients

First published by Transparency International There is no silver bullet for fighting corruption. Many countries have made significant progress in curbing corruption, however anti-corruption practitioners are always on the lookout for solutions and evidence of impact. Here are five ways that citizens and governments can make progress in the fight against corruption: End impunity   Read more >

Forthright ConCourt our hero of the week

As Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng read out what has been termed the “Nkandla judgment” on Thursday last week, South Africans took to social media to celebrate the message in his ruling: the Constitution of the country is the paramount law of the country, and President Jacob Zuma – for having breached it – was in Read more >

Panama Papers and offshore tax havens

With Hanna Ziady First published on Moneyweb Image by Mark Lewis Corruption Watch’s executive director David Lewis spoke to financial journalist Hanna Ziady of Moneyweb on Monday, regarding the implications of the leaked Panama Papers, a story that had broken over the weekend. Read the transcript below: Hanna Ziady (HZ):  It has been described as Read more >

Court has done its bit, now it’s up to politics

by Steven Friedman First published in Business Day For not the first time, many of us seem to need reminding that the Constitutional Court’s job is to make sure politicians stick to the rules — not to do their jobs for them. Last week’s Constitutional Court judgment deserves the cheers that greeted it — it Read more >

Media alert: civil society takes steps to reclaim democracy

URGENT MEDIA ALERT 05 April 2016 This evening an alliance of civil society, church, trade union and academic organisations held an urgent meeting to discuss the growing political and economic crisis that faces South Africa. In attendance were representatives of the Anglican Church of South Africa, the Evangelical Alliance, the South African Christian Leadership Initiative, Read more >

Local government elections 2016 – FAQ

The final registration weekend for the upcoming municipal elections takes place over the weekend of 9 and 10 April. If you’re a South African citizen remember that your vote is not only important when it comes to national elections – it’s at municipal level where government and citizens meet directly, and in a way this Read more >