Entries by Corruption Watch

CW: revamped Marabastad RRO will offer better services

17th February 2017 in , , , , /by

“Good systems are better than bad systems, but they need to be complemented by strong co-operative partnerships,” said Corruption Watch’s executive director David Lewis, commenting on the refurbished Marabastad Refugee Reception Office, launched today in Pretoria by the Department of Home Affairs. The revamp is intended to address queue management and security concerns, among other issues. “We are looking forward to collaborating with the DHA to make meaningful contributions,” Lewis added.

Looking out for whistleblowers’ rights

15th February 2017 in , , , , /by

Corruption Watch is in Parliament today to make further oral submissions to the Select Committee on Security and Justice on the Protected Disclosures Act amendment bill. Our concerns centre on the expanded definition of “occupational detriment”, as well as the section that excludes civil and criminal liability for protected disclosures, and the introduction of offences for making disclosures in bad faith.

Protect the world’s forests by tackling corruption

13th February 2017 in , /by

The OECD describes the global natural resource sector as the world’s most corrupt industry. Developing countries’ natural wealth is siphoned off by corrupt politicians and the companies they do business with, robbing national treasuries of public funds that could lift countless out of poverty. As one of the main consumer markets for tropical timber, the EU has a key responsibility to promote and pursue fundamental reforms to tackle corruption in source countries.

SONA 2017: corruption low on the agenda again

10th February 2017 in , /by

President Jacob Zuma delivered his State of the Nation Address for 2017 at a joint sitting of Parliament on 9 February. He spoke of accelerated economic transformation, women’s rights, and plans to tackle unemployment – but as in previous years, he did not give corruption the prominence it deserves.

100 days: Public Protector to expand access to services

3rd February 2017 in , /by

Now that her first 100 days is behind her, Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s outreach programme starts in earnest later this month. Titled Broadening Access: Taking the Public Protector to the grassroots, it will take the form of a roadshow through which she will engage with public service leadership and the public, with the aim of facilitating access to the services of her office in communities across the country that would otherwise struggle to gain such access.