If the government implements just one particular recommendation, of the 12 made jointly by Corruption Watch and the Institute for Security Studies to the Zondo commission into state capture, South Africa will see a more accountable and transparent law enforcement system, writes Valencia Talane.
The C19 People’s Coalition supports the 7 October national strike called by the Congress of South African Trade Unions and South African Federation of Trade Unions. The unions want government to act decisively on allegations of corruption levelled against some officials, while the coalition’s demands include an end to impunity, among others.
Any use of force by law enforcement officials must be in line with international human rights laws and principles, and with the right to an effective remedy. The C19 People’s Coalition, of which Corruption Part is part, has put together a series of infographics detailing the steps to be taken to document and report police abuse, as well as information on the legality and prescribed use of less-lethal weapons.
Former crime intelligence head Richard Mdluli was sentenced on Tuesday 29 September to an effective five years in prison – three years for kidnapping, one year for assault, and one year for assault with intention to commit grievous bodily harm. The second sentence will run concurrently. Mdluli’s corruption case, meanwhile, goes to trial in November.
Corruption Watch legal researcher Mashudu Masutha said the organisation’s corruption reporting channels are receiving numerous reports from mining-affected communities in different parts of the country. The reports allege serious offences, including interference and opacity from officials who are responsible for awarding of mining rights, prospecting licenses and permits – yet action from the Department of Mineral Resources is not forthcoming.
The dead received almost half a million. Underage people got over R244 000. Sitting in prison? You can still claim, and get, your share of R170 000. Invalid ID number? No problem, you could be among those who received R30-million in total. These, and more, are some of the appalling findings of the Auditor-General of South Africa’s first special Covid-19 real-time audit. Download and read.
With the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture running out of time in which to complete its hearings and write a full report by 31 March 2021, proceedings have of late been held up by delaying tactics from numerous implicated persons who have been called to present their side of the story. Among them is former president Jacob Zuma, whose repeated assertions that he wishes to co-operate fully don’t match his actions.
Corruption Watch’s 2020 Analysis of Corruption Trends report, released today, reveals that almost 2 000 people took the step of blowing the whistle on corruption during the first half of the year. Compared to the same period last year, this is an increase of over 400 reports received – not surprising, given the exposure of rampant corruption in Covid-19 procurement.
“Once you join a political party, you then have to toe their line,” says Desmond D’Sa, an environmental activist with a strong political bent, in this Q&A session with Mail & Guardian. During CW’s work on phase 1 of our land corruption report, Desmond and his SDCEA organisation worked closely with us in organising the community engagements in Clairwood, South Durban.
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.