As we get to grips with the drastic Cabinet reshuffle, Corruption Watch calls on the South African public to make their dissatisfaction known on the streets, in the branches of their political parties and at the ballot box. Events have clearly established that renewal will not come from within the ranks of the ruling party which has clearly been captured by a narrow clique around the president and his corrupt business cronies.
By focusing on the “big fish,” we risk missing the reality that many white-collar crimes are committed not by operatic fraudsters, but by essentially decent people pushed to the brink by a combination of human pressures and poor business culture, writes compliance expert Alice BrightSky. Presented with personal obligations and difficulties (e.g. financial woes, family demands), a poor workplace culture, and the opportunity for wrongdoing, these typically honest people succumbed.
The life of Ahmed Kathrada was extraordinary and his contribution to South Africa will be etched into our history. The stalwart passed away in the early hours of this morning, and we extend our condolences to his partner Barbara Hogan, the Kathrada family, the African National Congress and the many friends of the liberation movement.
South Africa and other G20 countries are failing to meet commitments to publish data that helps tackle corruption, according to research published recently by Transparency International and the Web Foundation. If the data was publicly available it could be used to curb criminal activities, including money laundering and tax evasion.
The Constitutional Court’s judgment last week to extend the unlawful contract between the South African Social Security Agency and Cash Paymaster Services was the culmination of weeks of uncertainty for social grant recipients. But the saga is not yet over.
The newly-established Information Regulator is South Africa’s data protection agency. It’s headed by former Independent Electoral Commission chairperson Advocate Pansy Tlakula, with two full-time and two part-time employees, The Regulator is subject only to the law and the Constitution, and accounts to the National Assembly.
Today’s judgment by the Constitutional Court regarding the payment of social grants by the South African Social Services Agency and Cash Paymaster Services was a resounding win for South Africans and a celebration of the independence of the judiciary in the country.
The Constitutional Court today extended the contract of Cash Paymaster Services with the South African Social Security Agency for 12 months, on the same terms as at present, and under strict supervision.
Corruption Watch appeared in the Constitutional Court yesterday to make written submissions in the matter between the Black Sash and the minister of social development, et al, with Freedom Under Law and the South African Post Office also making submissions.
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.