Entries by Corruption Watch

A redefining moment for Africa

26 February 2018 in , /by

Africa in general did not do too well on the Corruption Perceptions Index, released last week by Transparency International. However, despite being the worst performing region as a whole, Africa has several countries that consistently push back against corruption, and with notable progress. And there are a number of African countries that scored better than some European countries – so with 2018 being the AU’s year of fighting corruption, a good platform has been set for this task.

SANParks, Wiese involved in dodgy Namibian rhino deal

26 February 2018 in , /by

Major gaps between South African and Namibian legislation that regulates the endangered species trade allowed for the sale of at least 13 white rhino bulls from a South African game park to a Russian big game hunting outfit in Namibia. Nine of these rhinos were found to have died. Scandal-beset South African businessman Christo Wiese was involved in the deal, which shows that it’s often easier for wealthy individuals with privileged access to bend rules than adhere to regulations designed to protect endangered species.

CW in court to contest Sassa payment of R317-million to CPS

22 February 2018 in , , /by

Corruption Watch is in court today to demand that the decision of the CEO of the South African Social Services Agency (Sassa) to pay R317-million to Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) be set aside, and that CPS be compelled to pay back this amount. The hearing in the North Gauteng High Court is yet another example of Sassa being taken to court for administrative irregularities involving the payment of millions of taxpayers’ money to a private company.

SA continues to keep dubious company on CPI

21 February 2018 in , , /by

Transparency International released its 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index today. South Africa’s score of 43 represents a drop of two points from 45 in 2016 – a marginal shift, it may seem, but the number is less important than the downward direction of change. We had exactly the same score five years ago and, while it has wavered over the years between 42 and 45, it signals a lack of progress in improving our standing in a global context, in spite of ramped-up efforts to expose perpetrators.

2017 CPI: SA back to the position of five years ago

21 February 2018 in , /by

Transparency International’s 2017 Corruption Perceptions Index, released today, shows that South Africa has made no real progress in combating corruption in the five years since Corruption Watch was established and started monitoring the index. The latest edition predates events such as the dismissal (for the second time) of former finance minister Pravin Gordhan, action relating to the Public Protector’s October 2016 State of Capture report, and the daily scandals and revelations of grand corruption that characterised 2017 – these will reflect in next year’s index.

Full text: President Ramaphosa’s maiden SoNA

19 February 2018 in , /by

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered his maiden State of the Nation Address, just a day after being sworn in as South Africa’s fifth democratic president. The speech was generally well received, with many saying that his emphatic utterances were a sign of his intention to clean up government, but analysts said there was not enough detail regarding economic measures. Read the full text here.

CW calls for vigilance after Zuma resignation

15 February 2018 in , /by

With Jacob Zuma’s resignation as president, Corruption Watch hails this event as a victory of the people of South Africa, mobilised by civil society organisations, informed by the media and supported by the courts and the Constitution. However, the organisation reminds all South Africans that now is not the time for these combined forces to relax.

CW welcomes Hawks’ arrest of Vrede scandal suspects

14 February 2018 in , /by

Corruption Watch applauds the Hawks’ morning raid on the Gupta compound, and the subsequent arrests in relation to the Vrede dairy farm investigations, including that of Ajay Gupta and the provincial agriculture department head, Peter Thabethe. We call on our prosecutorial authority to ensure that those responsible for gross abuses of power and looting public resources – from both the public and private sector – are prosecuted and imprisoned.