Commonly-cited global corruption statistics are flawed, says U4

By Kwazi Dlamini US$1-trillion paid in bribes every year. Up to 30% of development aid lost to corruption annually. Corruption costs about 5% of global GDP every year. We hear these statistics quoted often in articles, reports, interviews, and more, but do we actually know how accurate these frightening figures are? Oslo-based anti-corruption advice team Read more >

Wheel of justice is turning, slowly but noticeably

By Karam Singh and Janine ErasmusFirst published on Business Day South Africans can be forgiven for feeling despondent about the state of corruption in South Africa. Every other day, it seems, brings new revelations of alleged malfeasance and misdemeanour, not just from ordinary citizens but from the very top levels of leadership in our country. Read more >

Auditor-General: 2020-2021 MFMA outcomes show continuing decline

Capable leaders should demonstrate change by strengthening transparency and accountability. This is the call from Auditor-General (AG) Tsakani Maluleke, who earlier today tabled the 2020-21 Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) audit outcomes in the National Assembly. The usual five-year comparison period encompasses the entirety of the administration that took office in 2016, with local government Read more >

Parly committee shines the spotlight on corruption in local govt

Image: Flickr/GovernmentZA By Kwazi Dlamini Lack of will to deal with corruption cases at municipal level because they involve politically connected individuals remains a big hurdle for law enforcement agencies. This is according to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). The three agencies answered for Read more >

Guptas arrested, but their return to SA may take some time

Image: Rosebank Killarney Gazette Two of the Gupta brothers may potentially see themselves being extradited to South Africa from the United Arab Emirates, following their arrest on Monday in that territory’s city of Dubai. The National Prosecuting Authority, however, warns that extradition is a long, complex process, implying that it might be a while before Read more >

Will Africa become Russian oligarchs’ new safe haven? 

First published on Financial Transparency Coalition  During the last decade, Russia has expanded its interests and presence in Africa by investing in the mining sector and increasing military support to fragile states, primarily through private military contractors and mercenaries. One of Africa’s most prominent private military groups is the Wagner Group, believed to be financed by one Read more >

Developed countries highly complicit in financial secrecy 

Illicit financial flows create an unjust society and further worsen inequality, especially for underdeveloped countries. This is the message from the Tax Justice Network (TJN), which released its 2022 Financial Secrecy Index (FSI) on 16 May.  The FSI is a ranking of jurisdictions which fuel financial secrecy by helping individuals to hide their finances from Read more >