This year’s Financial Secrecy Index, released on 3 June by the Tax Justice Network, shows that nine of the top 10 countries are seeing worsening conditions for democracy. The US again tops the list of 141 countries, contributing nearly 6% of the world’s financial secrecy, while the EU as a bloc accounts for 21%.
Corruption Watch welcomes the judgment handed down yesterday, 2 June 2025, by the Western Cape High Court in the matter of the designation of Dr John Hlophe to the Judicial Services Commission. The court declared that Hlophe, an impeached former judge president of that same court, was not fit and suitable to serve on a body that safeguards the integrity and independence of the judiciary, and set his appointment aside.
The Western Cape High Court ruled on 2 June 2025 that the impeached former judge president of that same court – now MP for the Mkhonto weSizwe Party – Dr John Hlophe, will not be part of the Judicial Services Commission. The court handed down a judgment that invalidated Parliament’s decision to designate Hlophe to the body, saying the appointment was unconstitutional and setting it aside. Hlophe’s party intends to appeal the judgment.
The Department of Public Service and Administration appeared before Parliament this week to brief the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on steps it is taking to clean up the pervasive problem of ghost workers on the government payroll. The department will work with National Treasury in this endeavour, and will continue to guide departments and government entities to improve public service ethics and integrity, and fight corruption.
A decade of excessive use of consultants, neglect by political leadership, and bleak prospects for bettering governance at local government level. This is the state of our local government, unless a political intervention is sought. The latest local government audit outcomes report from the Auditor-General shows more of the same bad news.
As South Africa assumes the G20 chairpersonship, writes Dr Sunday Israel Oyebamiji for the Democracy Development Programme, an opportunity arises to strengthen institutional advocacy and enhance the effectiveness of civil society organisations in anti-corruption efforts.
Corruption Watch has asked the Public Protector to investigate the failure of Farm Worker Equity Schemes and their effective implementation. The organisation, with its partners the Surplus People Project and the Legal Resources Centre, has worked on behalf of farm workers in relation to their struggles with the schemes for several years.
The review of the White Paper on Local Government is officially under way. All stakeholders, including residents, councillors, municipal employees, business leaders, and traditional leaders, are invited to submit their comments and suggestions on the discussion document that was released in April. The deadline is 30 June 2025.
Fifteen of South Africa’s most prominent civil society organisations, including the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Defend Our Democracy, SECTION27, Corruption Watch, and the Desmond and Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation, have slammed Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie’s recent xenophobic comments. Read their statement here.
Visit our GivenGain R20 for Change page and help us demand transparency in our systems, accountability in our leaders, and better empowerment and protection of whistle-blowers. By donating R20 a month, you’ll be supporting our work with communities across the country, helping them to know and access their rights and reduce the corruption that robs people of resources intended for their benefit.