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.
On Tuesday 22 September Corruption Watch will release its 2020 Analysis of Corruption Trends report, the fourth edition of its half yearly publication. The ACT report highlights corruption trends which have emerged during the first half of the year – in 2020 this period was dominated by the Covid-19 crisis.
Legal expert Dr Omphemetse Sibanda of the University of Limpopo argues that the draft Public Procurement bill as it stands gives the impression that the issue of corruption in the procurement process was an afterthought by the drafters. In this respect, he says, the bill, which is currently under review, has loopholes that may be abused for corrupt practices.
Lawyers for Human Rights, in collaboration with Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town and Corruption Watch, have released a report titled Costly Protection: Corruption in South Africa’s Asylum System. The report assesses the current state of affairs in respect of corruption at refugee reception offices in South Africa.
Corruption comes with a cost the poor can’t afford to pay. With this poem, I urge the government of South Africa to reflect on the situation and make necessary changes.
It appears that money has been siphoned into the pockets of the politically connected in exchange for life-saving protective equipment at inflated prices, writes Cherese Thakur for amaBhungane. But despite the recent surge of corrupt procurement during the Covid-19 pandemic and the allegations of government officials illegally involved in shady deals, there has been no move to compel any degree of transparency in beneficial ownership.
Nomgcobo Jiba has been in the public eye for many years – not always for the right reasons. Her on again, off again fraud and perjury trial is reportedly on the cards once more, and we look at the major events in her chequered career that led her to this point.