Acknowledging the negative human rights impact of corruption makes it imperative for African states to provide better protection to their citizens, writes Anton du Plessis of the ISS. But an absence of enforcement creates space for corrupt officials and businesspeople to hide without fear of pursuit or prosecution. And there is little political will to change things.
The Constitutional Court has reportedly dismissed the National Prosecuting Authority’s application to appeal a High Court ruling which in essence reinstated 783 criminal charges against President Jacob Zuma. The court said that it would not be in the interests of justice to hear the matter.
Corruption Watch congratulates Advocate Busisiwe Joyce Mkhwebane on her appointment as the new public protector. Mkhwebane was officially appointed today by President Jacob Zuma. Her seven-year term takes effect on 15 October 2016.
Our colleagues at Transparency Ukraine recently compared corruption levels with happiness levels, and found that there is a definite correlation between the two. Although conducted on European countries, their findings are applicable to the South African situation.
You’re invited to Corruption Watch’s latest anti-corruption activation on Friday 30 September. It is happening at the Velo tri-circle space in Braamfontein, also known as The Grove, below the big screen TV.
Law firm ENSafrica’s 2016 anti-bribery and corruption survey reveals that more companies have experienced such incidents than before. Corporates are still not putting adequate measures in place, but with the growing global wave of change towards zero tolerance to non-compliance, they should not be neglecting this area of their operations.
South Africa, with the other seven founding members of the Open Government Partnership, this week celebrated the initiative’s fifth anniversary. But to be an effective implementing organisation, the OGP needs to overcome some challenges, including that of government departments coordinating and working together.
Lizo is a brilliant artist. When he forms the Township Artists’ Life Collective it looks like they are set for the big time – if only they can get funding to take them to New York! When their funding application is turned down Lizo doesn’t give up hope, but then he is told he is being investigated for the misappropriation of funds – funds he never received … Read our latest FunDza youth-focused story.
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.