Mauritius, known as one of the world’s top corporate tax havens, is again under scrutiny from the Financial Action Task Force, which has listed the island as a high-risk country for money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. Mauritius is not alone – other African countries under the same scrutiny include Botswana, Ghana, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
Corruption Watch is currently focused on the upcoming appointment of the auditor-general and as part of its constitutional right and duty to participate in such processes, has conducted and submitted results of a desktop screening of the six short-listed candidates. The information contained in our submission serves as a resource that could be used during the interviewing and deliberation processes.
Good governance has taken a hard knock in recent years. The Worldwide Governance Indicators, reporting on six broad dimensions of governance for over 200 countries and territories between 1996 and 2018, tell a story of shrinking good governance in South Africa and other nations.
Merle Payne, a Limpopo resident, shares her story of how difficult it is to access the Covid-19 Temporary Employee Relief Scheme from Unemployment Insurance Fund for her employees even though she has been contributing to the fund.
The UN’s World Drug Report 2020 shows that drug markets have been reported to be increasing especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. What’s more, drug markets will flourish in the coming years because of insufficient policy attention on the increasing illicit trade of drugs in South Africa and other parts of the continent. In part two of our two-part mini-series, we take a high-level look at the situation in our country.
The UN’s World Drug Report 2020 shows that drug markets are reported to be increasing especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. What’s more, drug markets will flourish in the coming years because of insufficient policy attention on the increasing illicit trade of drugs in South Africa and other parts of the continent. In part one of our two-part mini-series, we take a closer look at the recently released report.
The Southern African Anti-corruption Network – which includes Corruption Watch – has condemned in a press statement the heavy-handed treatment of peaceful anti-corruption protesters in Zimbabwe. The network reminds Zimbabwe of its obligations under various regional, continental and international human rights instruments and treaties, and demands that authorities cease to violate protesters’ rights.
An amendment to the Ipid Act is in motion, and this will address gaps and weaknesses. At a meeting in July of the parliamentary portfolio committee of police, chairperson Tine Joemat-Petterson revealed that her office has started the process of drafting an amendment bill – and she has already seen the first draft.
Numerous reports of personal protection equipment tenders worth millions have surfaced in the media recently, and corruption allegations have been levelled against high-profile government officials. Caroline James and Karam Jeet Singh of CW’s legal and investigations unit ask government to make procurement information freely accessible to help fight corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic. This measure has worked well in Nigeria and Ukraine, and we would do well to implement it.