Corruption Watch and the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution have called for political parties to remove all ethically challenged individuals – not only those who have been convicted in a court – from candidature for elected political office. The organisations have also demanded that the relevant legislation be amended so as to raise the bar on acceptable candidature for political office.
In early February Corruption Watch launched a High Court application, brought in the public interest in terms of section 157(1)(c) of the Companies Act 71 of 2008, to have former Eskom board members declared delinquent. We publish all our correspondence in this matter.
Former Bosasa COO Angelo Agrizzi, currently testifying for a second time before the Zondo Commission into state capture, kept a running tally of names of government officials who were bribed over the years. These records will no doubt be tested under cross-examination, writes Kyle Cowan, although there has only been one application this far.
Former group chief executive at Alexander Forbes, Edward Kieswetter, has been appointed as the new South African Revenue Service commissioner. Kieswetter, who was a deputy commissioner and COO at Sars from 2004 to 2009, has a proven track record in good governance and will serve a term of five years.
The Independent Electoral Commission is currently accepting applications for observer status in the 2019 national and provincial elections, from organisations only. Observers play a crucial role in ensuring transparency as they keep an eye on the voting process at voting stations, the counting of votes, and the final counting, determination and declaration of results.
Corruption Watch’s 2018 Mining Royalties Research Report highlights the complexities and challenges in the management and distribution of mining royalties to people living in mine-affected communities, the majority of whom remain without any tangible benefits. Our case studies brought to light some of the widespread abuse, corruption and unethical practices that have filtered into the mining royalties system over the years.
The newly established civil society working group is committed to ensuring accountability for economic crimes by the business and political elite linked to state capture. We believe that an impactful outcome at the Zondo Commission requires active engagement by civil society which is both supportive of the commission’s work and, where necessary, critical of its shortcomings.
Corruption Watch will be launching a report titled Improving Transparency and Accountability in the Management and Administration of Mining Royalties and/or Community, in a series of community and stakeholder engagements that are scheduled to take place on 26 March in Johannesburg and 27 – 28 March in the North West province.
The rule of law affects all of us in our everyday lives. Although we may not be aware of it, the rule of law is profoundly important—and not just for lawyers or judges. Every sector of society is a stakeholder in the rule of law – but South Africa did not exactly shine in this year’s Rule of Law Index, released recently by the World Justice Project.