For whistle-blowers around the world, speaking out against corruption can either be a good thing or bad thing as often they are not afforded the protection they need. World Whistle-blower Day, which is observed annually on 23 June, should be used to find ways that would help protect the lives of whistle-blowers.
The second wave of VBS arrests represents an important step towards holding accountable those responsible for the blatant looting of resources intended for the provision of basic services, says Corruption Watch. The organisation emphasises that, together with the Steinhoff scandal, the actions of implicated persons should be thoroughly investigated and guilty parties brought to book.
The Budget Justice Coalition has expressed its deep concern that the Covid-19 economic relief package is far less than the promised R500-billion. For instance, only R2.9-billion of net additional funding is provided to the entire health sector to cope with the pandemic, while only R6-billion of the R100-billion promised for job protection and small businesses has actually been allocated this financial year.
Former president Jacob Zuma appeared in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on 23 June for preliminary proceedings in the matter of his corruption trial. Zuma has evaded accountability for years, but it seems that he will finally have his day in court. The matter was postponed to 8 September 2020..
We remember the lives of refugees who have been displaced because of conflict and other disturbances in their countries. Some people who left their homes have died in their destination or hosting country after deadly xenophobic attacks.
Economic crime in South Africa is alive and well. According to PwC’s 2020 Global Economic Crime and Fraud Survey, the percentage of economic crime incidents has decreased for the first time in 10 years – but the value of these incidents has doubled in the past two years, and the level of involvement of senior management has jumped by 14 percentage points since the 2018 survey.
Social development minister Lindiwe Zulu has blamed the alleged food parcel corruption incidents on uncoordinated food distribution efforts which are administered by different groups, including community-based and non-profit organisations.
Corruption Watch website editor Janine Erasmus writes about the impact the lockdown has had on struggling communities. She also addresses allegations of corrupt politicians and local councillors who are abusing the distribution of food parcels.
The struggle for young people of colour in South Africa is very much alive. But our struggle is much bigger than what the youth of 1976 fought for and yet the world expects us to do more, be more.