In this searingly frank and heartfelt letter to the president, attorney and ANC member Mzukisi Makatse writes about the lack of support in South Africa for whistle-blowers. As he experienced personally, in many cases it is the whistle-blower who is punished and made to feel like a criminal, rather than those who commit the crime. Makatse suggests that a special presidential unit be established to safeguard the rights of the country’s whistle-blowers.
Parliament’s portfolio committee on rural development and land reform has resolved to initiate a forensic investigation into the controversial – and expensive – Malamala land claim. The investigation will probe issues around the pricing of the deal as well as the eligibility of the community for restitution.
Fresh allegations of corruption recently rocked the University of Zululand, already on shaky ground after being put under administration in 2011. New revelations of procurement irregularities and deviation from university policy have surrounded the institution’s vice-chancellor, who is still in her position despite the controversy.
We congratulate our board chairperson Mavuso Msimang, the former head of SANParks, who was honoured with the prestigious WWF Living Planet Award for his significant contribution to the environmental sector in post-apartheid South Africa.
Corruption Watch participated in the recent Civil Society Forum, which was organised by the African Union and held at the Pan-African Parliament. At the gathering former public protector Thuli Madonsela received the first Anti-Corruption Crusader Award at the Pan African Parliament.
Corruption Watch has made submissions on the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Bill. Our main focus was on issues of good governance and the representation of community interests within traditional leadership structures.
The fall of former president Jacob Zuma and the arrest of his son Duduzane did not happen in a vacuum, writes David Lewis in the Sunday Times – many individuals and organisations played a key role, from a lively civil society to honest bureaucrats, the judiciary, media and voters – and rats deserting the listing ship.
A group of civil society organisations, including Corruption Watch, has issued a joint statement condemning attacks – physical, written and verbal – on CSOs and activists. The organisations call for action against the perpetrators of these attacks, and insist that people be allowed to freely exercise their constitutional rights without reprisal.
Without active civil society organisations in South Africa, writes Prof William Gumede in a recent policy brief for Democracy Works, the rollback of democratic rights in the past few years, the decline in the public service delivery and rising corruption would have been ultimately worse. Civil society organisations have strengthened and supported democracy in South Africa in numerous ways, which Gumede discusses at length.