A new nine-country survey has found a common perception that government is run for the benefit of the few rather than the many‚ in both emerging and established democracies. However, people believe there is much they can do to influence how the country is run if they are willing to make the effort. In South Africa’s case, this is 62% of respondents, although in terms of turning words into action the percentage is far lower.
After a four-year accreditation process, Corruption Watch has become a fully-fledged chapter of Transparency International (TI), the global movement against corruption. This means we are now TI’s official representative in South Africa.
Corruption Watch welcomes the public protector’s report and views its release as a positive reflection of the democratic processes aimed at ensuring that access to information is limited only in the most compelling and serious circumstances.
The full scope of the investigation into alleged state capture cannot be undertaken by the Public Protector, and accordingly a commission of inquiry must be set up. This is the main recommendation of State of Capture, the long-awaited report published yesterday.
With the withdrawal of President Jacob Zuma’s application to stop the release of the Public Protector’s report on state capture, the North Gauteng High Court has ordered the immediate release of the report. Zuma, with ministers Des van Rooyen and Mosebenzi Zwane, had sought to prevent the publication of the report. Van Rooyen’s application was struck down.
Corruption Watch is not satisfied with the response of SARS commissioner Tom Moyane to our letter informing him of intended legal action against him. We have written to the Financial Intelligence Centre and the Hawks asking for clarity on certain matters of concern.
Transparency International has developed a legal definition of grand corruption to encourage advocates, scholars, lawmakers, and others to seek ways to enhance accountability of high-level public officials and others whose corruption harms their citizens egregiously and too often with impunity.
The citizens of this country have vested public trust in the police and other organs of State and public power is used to victimise the very same citizens. Surely this is an unjust state of affairs, writes Corruption Watch’s Zola Valashiya, reflecting on his own recent brush with the law.
Corruption Watch will be laying criminal charges against SARS commissioner Tom Moyane in accordance with the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. We will also lay criminal charges in respect of a FICA contravention. Moyane has until 1 November to respond to these issues.
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.