Corruption Watch recently hosted a roundtable discussion , which focused on our report into the role that corruption played in bringing about the capture of parts of South Africa’s criminal justice system. The report, which will be submitted to the Zondo commission into state capture, is titled Capture of the criminal justice system.
With national elections coming up in a few months, it’s essential to ensure that you cast your vote and make your voice heard. Over the next few weeks, we will post a short series of articles providing you with useful information to help you experience a smooth and easy voting process. Our first article covers the voter registration process.
On day two of testimony from former Bosasa executive Angelo Agrizzi, the Zondo Commission watched video evidence that showed CEO Gavin Watson and two of his directors packing and arranging stacks of money while inside a vault at the company offices. Agrizza said the video was taken by then Bosasa CFO Andries van Tonder in 2017, who was working with Agrizzi to obtain evidence of the common practice at the company.
Angelo Agrizzi, the former COO of controversial facilities management company Bosasa, told the Zondo Commission today that the firm spent between R4-million and R6-million monthly for bribes to senior government officials on the Bosasa payroll, in what CEO Gavin Watson called “monopoly money”.
Halfway through the first month of the year, parents of Grade R children at no-fee schools are already being asked to pay sums of money for various reasons. If they can’t pay, their children are turned away. This is unlawful, says the Western Cape education department, and if parents in any province are put into this situation they should contact their district office as soon as possible.
The role of civil society in upholding democratic processes cannot be over-estimated, writes Kwazi Dlamini. Civil society organisations have played a part in the demise of former president Jacob Zuma, the removal of Sars commissioner Tom Moyane and that of former national director of public prosecutions, Shaun Abrahams, and transparency in high-level appointments in key law enforcement institutions – among others.
Corruption costs lives – literally, writes Melusi Ncala. Not only does some 83% of the population rely on public health facilities that are overburdened because of a shortage in nursing and medical staff as well as beds, equipment and food, but corruption is contributing to the nyaope crisis because some medical professionals are said to supply drug dealers and other criminal elements with ARVs for the highly addictive drug.
Countries are advancing efforts to stop criminals from laundering their trillions, writes Rhoda Weeks-Brown of the International Monetary Fund. Under the leadership of the Financial Action Task Force, and with the support of the IMF, UN, World Bank, and other stakeholders, almost every country has criminalised money laundering and terrorism financing and established a legal framework to freeze terrorist assets.
If anything, 2018 was even more of a momentous year than was 2017. Here are some highlights in the anti-corruption space, most of which involve government of government officials being held to account. From the removal of former president Jacob Zuma, to shocking revelations of state capture, 2018 was a year to remember.
Visit our GivenGain R20 for Change page and help us demand transparency in our systems, accountability in our leaders, and better empowerment and protection of whistle-blowers. By donating R20 a month, you’ll be supporting our work with communities across the country, helping them to know and access their rights and reduce the corruption that robs people of resources intended for their benefit.