Corruption Watch and Right2Know are in court on 11 and 12 June, challenging the findings of the Seriti Commission, which was tasked with inquiring about allegations of corruption in the arms deal. This FAQ, drafted by historian and journalist Paul Holden, sets out some of the key issues related to the arms deal challenge by the two organisations.
The application of Corruption Watch and Right2Know to review and set aside the findings of the Seriti Commission finally comes to court on 11 and 12 June. The application will ensure that those implicated in corrupt arms deal activities will no longer be able to claim that they were exonerated by the commission, and may even be required to have their own day in court to face the legal consequences of their actions.
Join Corruption Watch’s Wheels of Change cycling team for the 2019 Telkom 947 Cycle Challenge in November! Your participation as a CW team member will help us to keep our feet on the pedals in the fight against corruption in South Africa.
Tax havens across the world are not only convenient resources for those wishing to avoid paying tax in their own countries, but they have also severely damaged the global tax system and helped crooks to line their pockets with money that should be used for development. This is highlighted in a new study on tax havens, released at the end of May by the Tax Justice Network.
The Fragile States Index considers factors such as rule of law, service delivery, protection of residents, schisms between groups in society, and level of confidence in state institutions and processes. South Africa did not fare as well as some of its African neighbours, although it did improve from last year’s situation, and there is certainly a sense that it could have been worse.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced his revamped cabinet. While there is much to applaud, such as the greater number of women in the cabinet, the inclusion of questionable individuals still leaves doubt as to whether South Africa’s interests were genuinely prioritised.
Golden visa/passport programmes are problematic in several ways, writes Natalie Ritchie, including the fact that the investments by applicants have hardly had the boost on economies that is expected of them. But the bigger problem with golden visa programmes is their potential to both facilitate and stimulate corruption and money laundering.
The National Prosecuting Authority is undergoing a revitalisation, said its recently appointed head Shamila Batohi on Friday – but the challenges are enormous. Meanwhile, the newly established investigating directorate within the NPA is to be headed by Advocate Hermione Cronje.
The ink is barely dry on voters’ thumbnails, and already the electorate is demanding accountability – as it rightfully should. On Wednesday 22 May, activists protested outside Parliament as MPs were being sworn in, to “remember all those that lost their lives due to corruption and maladministration in government”.