The culture of impunity, in which our leaders have set the example, has seemingly spread to our youth, writes Judith February. So if students are engaged in conduct which often descends into plain thuggery, we need look no further than our political leadership which now lacks the authority and legitimacy to intervene in situations which require intricate problem-solving.
Hlaudi Motsoeneng has lost his Supreme Court appeal against the setting aside of his permanent appointment as the chief operating officer of the SABC. Motsoeneng’s options for remaining in his high-paying position are now almost exhausted.
The spy tapes saga is not yet over – President Jacob Zuma, seemingly determined to avoid facing 783 charges of corruption, has filed papers with the Supreme Court of Appeal, challenging an April 2016 high court judgment that set aside the decision in 2009 to drop the charges. Meanwhile, the NPA is approaching the Constitutional Court on the same matter.
The General Bar Council has succeeded in its application to have the National Prosecuting Authority’s Nomgcobo Jiba and Lawrence Mrwebi struck off the roll of advocates. The two brought the prosecuting authority and the legal profession into disrepute, wrote Judge Francis Legodi.
Corruption Watch made submissions yesterday in Parliament on the Protected Disclosures Act amendment bill, which was published in December last year. This act sets out the procedure to be followed when public and private sector employees disclose information about unlawful behaviour in the workplace, and how those employees must be protected
President Jacob Zuma has paid back the money, as directed by the Constitutional Court, but while the move has been welcomed, there is considerable doubt and scepticism around the transaction, based on Zuma’s history of ducking and diving responsibility.
Pikitup MD Amanda Nair has been dismissed, after years of fighting off allegations of corruption, poor management and ill treatment towards workers. The relationship of trust with her had broken down irrevocably, said the Pikitup board in a statement.
Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane is one step away from being named as South Africa’s new public protector. Last night the National Assembly gave her the 60% majority yes vote that she needed to make her appointment all but permanent. It remains only for President Jacob Zuma to sign her into office.
The time is right for the establishment of a new Chapter Nine institution, an integrity commission to effectively tackle the widespread and entrenched corruption in all sectors of our country, writes Advocate Paul Hoffman. And if the political will is lacking, there are ways in which to create it.
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