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.
The 2018 Analysis of Corruption Trends (ACT) Report, titled It’s Time to Act, was released today by Corruption Watch. The ACT report highlights six trending areas of concern, namely: schools, municipalities, the South African Police Service, licensing centres, state-owned entities and the health sector.
How much more are we willing to allow corruption to corrode our moral, social and economic fabric, writes Corruption Watch’s researcher Melusi Ncala. Ultimately corruption widens gaps in equality in society, and it prevents the poor and vulnerable from building better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.
The second edition of Corruption Watch’s Analysis of Corruption Trends report will launch on 7 August. The report covers the trends revealed in corruption reports submitted to us in the first six months of 2018. Areas of concern include corruption in schools (including the growing trend of sextortion), municipalities, the South African Police Service, licensing centres, state owned entities and the health sector.