Entries by Corruption Watch

Citizens can play a role in Covid-19 vaccination transparency

15 March 2021 in , , /by

Access to information can help prevent corruption, including the abuse of public resources, conflicts of interest and bribery, says Transparency International. It also helps the public have a clear and accurate understanding of issues that have a major impact on their lives – and for this reason citizens should not hesitate to ask questions of government in relation to Covid-19 vaccine procurement. This will help to manage expectations, build trust in government, and uncover misinformation.

Municipal elections to be a major test on two fronts

11 March 2021 in , , , /by

The Covid-19 pandemic and the imminent enforcement of the Political Party Funding Act, due to commence on 1 April 2021, are two important factors shaping this year’s municipal elections, scheduled to take place between 4 August and 1 November. South Africa’s electoral commission will use by-elections in April and May to test its systems and Covid-19 protocols, and encourages political parties, independent candidates and other stakeholders to do the same.

Covid-19 vaccine procurement in SA entering murky waters

3 March 2021 in , , /by

The gaps in information shared by the government around the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines are a major concern, writes law professor Geo Quinot. Transparency and regulatory compliance are needed to build public trust in the vaccination programme – and public trust is crucial if the programme is to succeed. There is still much we do not know and much we should know, some details that might be forthcoming, and other information that should already be available.

Questions linger over Jova as health department stays mum

1 March 2021 in , /by

Our big concern with Jova Vaccines Supply is that its director has many directorships, write Karam Singh and Kirsten Pearson. This is a red flag in the sense that no one person can feasibly stretch their time to such an extent and offer a meaningful value-adding service. And we don’t see evidence of sufficient due diligence being done prior to granting the registration of companies or sufficient oversight of shelf companies.

Unemployed youth vulnerable to sextortion: CW youth survey 2020

22 February 2021 in , /by

In December 2020 CW published its second survey on youth and corruption, with several questions dedicated to their experiences with sextortion. While no extensive data exists to confirm whether sextortion is a problem in South Africa, or how widespread it is, wrote Sabeehah Motala at the time, the country’s endemic gender-based violence problem means it is not unthinkable that the two would interact at some point,.

CW innovates with Veza tool, empowers public to hold SAPS accountable

17 February 2021 in , , /by

Corruption Watch’s new interactive open data tool – Veza (a colloquial term for ‘reveal’ or ‘expose’) – equips a wide range of people, from researchers, journalists, activists and communities to the public at large, with the knowledge and insight to demand better and more accountable policing. It also provides an opportunity for the SAPS and other government structures to embrace the concept of open data and public access to information – this will go a long way to restoring public confidence in the vital role that they play in the country.