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.
The Special Investigating Unit is making steady – albeit slow – progress in its probes into alleged corruption and maladministration at the Department of Water and Sanitation and various entities attached to it. The amounts of money involved are mind-boggling. Towards the end of June the SIU briefed the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts on its work in this regard.
The parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on the Appointment of the Auditor-General has met to discuss Corruption Watch’s submission regarding this crucial position. The committee had sought a legal opinion on the document, which concluded that our recommendations are constitutional and in line with MPs’ duties and obligations. It was advised to accept and implement all of our recommendations – with a few modifications.