Former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas dropped a bombshell last week in testimony at the Zondo Commission into state capture. He revealed that not only had the Gupta brothers offered him R600-million to become the next finance minister and carry out their agenda from the inside, but that he had been threatened with his life if he told anyone of the meeting at which the offer was made.
Public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan, appearing recently before the parliamentary portfolio committee on public enterprises, revealed his plan for eradicating corruption and bringing back good governance, based on the clear demarcation of powers.
What do you do when it looks like the only chance you’ll have to get that big contract for your small company is through unlawful means? Find out in It’s Time for us to eat, the newest story in the ongoing FunDza Literary Trust / Corruption Watch partnership.
Deputy Chief Justice Raymong Zondo has remarked on the paucity of people willing to come forward and testify at the commission on state capture, now sitting in Johannesburg. But, writes Rebecca Davis in this Daily Maverick piece, are we surprised, given that South Africa’s record at supporting its whistle-blowers is so appalling?
The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State, known as the Zondo Commission, commences its hearings today. The commission will be investigating matters such the Gupta family’s attempt to bribe former deputy finance minister Mcebisi Jonas in order to gain control of the National Treasury, their offer of a cabinet position to former ANC MP Vytjie Mentor, and possible violations of the Executive Ethics Code by former president Jacob Zuma.
Corruption Watch recently welcomed to our offices a newly-elected SGB member, who was looking for guidance and support. He went off, enlightened and empowered, and returned to us some weeks later, this time to report abuse of power. Because he took it upon himself to learn about his role and responsibilities as an SGB member, he was in a position to hold school leadership accountable for questionable behaviour.
Corruption Watch celebrates today’s ruling in the Constitutional Court that invalidates former president Jacob Zuma’s appointment of Shaun Abrahams as the national director of public prosecutions. This judgment arises out of an application by CW, together with Freedom Under Law and the Council for Advancement of the South African Constitution, in August 2015, to review and set aside the R17.3-million settlement agreement with former NDPP Adv Mxolisi Nxasana and declare his removal from office invalid.
Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga today handed down judgment in the Constitutional Court, in the matter of the position of the national director of public prosecutions (NDPP). Madlanga held that the manner in which former NDPP Mxolisi Nxasana vacated office was not consistent with the Constitution, because former president Jacob Zuma essentially bought him out of office for R17-million. It follows, Madlanga said, that the subsequent appointment by Zuma of Shaun Abrahams was also constitutionally invalid. Nxasana was ordered to pay R10-million back to the state.
This year’s Analysis of Corruption Trends report, titled It’s Time to Act, shows the continuation of abuse of power in police-related corruption, employment corruption, licensing corruption, procurement irregularities, schools corruption, and health sector corruption. However, as was the case last year, there is an on-going positive trend of whistle-blowing around the country, and in the first six months of this year almost 2 500 whistle-blowers shared their experiences with us.
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.