Online technology has removed much of the human element from various business and compliance transactions, which helps make them efficient and nearly error-free. But can we safely say that e-governance processes work in eliminating the potential of bribery and corruption?
Transparency International and some of its chapters in sub-Saharan Africa have developed a guide explaining how land corruption affects men and women differently. The guide also offers practical advice on how to design anti-corruption programmes that take the needs of both women and men into account.
South Africa is facing an unprecedented political, economic and social crisis, and the common denominator which threatens to tear the country apart is corruption. Across the public and private sectors, there is an environment that is conducive for corruption to flourish. “While the removal of Zuma will not, by any means, solve all of our problems, it has become clear that none can be solved as long as he remains head of state.,” says David Lewis, executive director of Corruption Watch
The Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut is hosting a day-long conference, the first in a series of conversations between business, government and leading experts, designed to explore what we can all do to ensure that SMEs operate in a truly enabling environment. SMEs contribute as much as 30% of South Africa’s GDP and are responsible for creating many new jobs.
In three recent judgments, South Africa’s courts made adverse findings about actions taken by the Department of Mineral Resources and expressed concern about the competence of some of its most senior officials. The conclusion is that environmental oversight of mines should not be in the hands of the department tasked with promoting the sector.
The crisis South Africa faces is that no matter how hard the courts try to protect the public from its delinquent government, they are failing, writes law expert Cathleen Powell. This is partly because most of the executive demonstrates repeatedly that it sees the orders of the court as a mere obstruction to be overcome, and considers the moral authority of the court irrelevant. This time the people must save themselves.
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.
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.