Entries by Corruption Watch

Defending truth in an era of corruption and eroding trust

22 May 2026 in , /by

Whistle-blowers are the lifeblood of democracy, writes NWU’s Angeline Marokoane, yet South Africa’s system is designed to abandon them. This poignant statement emerged at a recent dialogue, held at the North-West University on the use – and perils – of investigative journalism in holding the powerful to account. The panel, comprising Khaya Sithole, Pauli van Wyk, Kyle Cowan, and Sikonathi Mantshantsha, made recommendations as to how investigative journalism in the country can be strengthened.

Anti-corruption a national priority, says SA, but govt worst in Africa for tackling it

19 May 2026 in , /by

South Africans are largely unhappy with democracy in the country, according to new survey results released recently by Afrobarometer. Furthermore, in terms of tackling corruption they rate their government the worst out of all African countries surveyed, while over three-quarters of survey respondents now suspect the Presidency of being the most corrupt institution in the country, even more so than members of the police or Parliament.

In the Still of Night – a climate governance podcast, episode 5

13 May 2026 in , , , , , /by

The fifth and final episode of Corruption Watch’s new five-part podcast series on climate governance is now available. In this episode, we discuss what needs to happen for climate change management to benefit those who feel the devastating effects most keenly – the communities on the ground – and for the just transition to be truly just. Experts and community representatives from previous episodes share their thoughts.

CSOs call for extension of deadline for whistle-blower bill public submissions

13 May 2026 in , , , /by

Organisations across civil society led by Corruption Watch have called for the Department of Justice to consider extending the deadline for public comments for the Protected Disclosures Bill, 2026. The group notes serious gaps in the current version of the bill and inadequate public awareness as its reasons, and is asking for a month’s extension to allow the public to fully engage with the bill’s provisions.

CW leads joint civil society submission on Protected Disclosures Bill

12 May 2026 in , , /by

A coalition of civil society organisations led by Corruption Watch will host a media briefing on Wednesday 13 May 2026 to reveal a joint submission on the Protected Disclosures Bill.
The joint submission will cover significant gaps identified by the collective since the bill was released by Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi for public comments on 9 April. The briefing will provide an opportunity for the media to engage with the organisations on key aspects of the bill that they view as needing urgent attention.

Corruption Watch welcomes ConCourt Phala Phala decision

11 May 2026 in , , /by

Corruption Watch welcomes the Constitutional Court’s decision, handed down today, to order Parliament to conduct impeachment proceedings against President Cyril Ramaphosa in connection with the Phala Phala scandal of 2020. The organisation continues to call for accountability on this matter, as it did in 2022, when an independent panel released the findings of an inquiry, held under Section 89, which determined that Ramaphosa indeed has a case to answer.

Safeguarding elections through a social media code of conduct

8 May 2026 in , /by

Implementing a social media code of conduct is one way the Independent Electoral Commission could decrease the risk of mis- and disinformation influencing South Africa’s upcoming local government elections, writes Dr Maxwell Maseko – but it must be done in a way that strengthens electoral integrity without compromising constitutional rights, and that reinforces rather than weakens the country’s democratic foundations.