Corruption Watch yesterday launched a report titled Unearthing Corruption in the Land Sector, as part of an ongoing Transparency International project, Land Corruption in Africa. In this opinion piece, lad researcher Melusi Ncala expresses concern that the situation in South Africa is not being adequately addressed.
The report on the devastating effects of land corruption reviews the historical context of South Africa’s land reform policies and looks into the legislative framework that governs the space. It will also provide some insight into what the public has reported to the organisation over the years relating to corruption in this sector.
The Bill gives traditional leaders the right to enter into agreements on the use of land without the consent of the most affected groups – this effectively enables traditional leadership structures to dispossess people of their land without either their agreement or expropriation.
On Wednesday 27 November 2019 the parliamentary portfolio committee on justice and correctional services said it would recommend that the National Assembly resolve not to restore Nomgcobo Jiba and Lawrence Mrwebi to their previous high-level positions at the National Prosecuting Authority. President Cyril Ramaphosa suspended Jiba and Mrwebi in October 2018 and dismissed them in April 2019.
Corruption Watch invites members of the media to the launch of our Land Corruption in Africa (LCA) report, to be held on 02 December in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal. The report reviews the historical context of South Africa’s land reform policies and looks into the current legislative framework. It will also provide some insight into reports we have received relating to corruption in this sector, and will provide a case study based on the engagements held earlier this year with communities in and around eThekwini Municipality.
Corruption Watch executive director David Lewis said the organisation welcomes ANC MP Bongani Bongo’s arrest by the Hawks.
A roundtable, organised last week between the North West provincial government and Industrial Development Corporation, to discuss localisation of procurement in the mining industry, excluded one of its most important stakeholders – mining affected communities.
Activists and civil society organisations, including Corruption Watch, have called for leniency in the case of #FeesMustFall activist Kanya Cekeshe. In a statement, the signatories maintain that a student activist like Kanya should not be jailed for his role in the #FeesMustFall protests.
Corruption Watch welcomes the arrest of Bongani Bongo, ANC MP and former minister of state security, for alleged bribery. However, the organisation cautions that there are many more like him still serving in Parliament, and they, too, must be removed.
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