Entries by Corruption Watch

Editorial: Corruption starts from within – crooked officials, criminals collude

31st May 2024 in , /by

African governments are not doing nearly enough to act against the criminals within their own ranks, writes Susan Russell for Africa In Fact. A genuine commitment from African leaders is needed, to uphold the rule of law, promote transparency, and strengthen democratic institutions. “This means enacting and enforcing anti-corruption laws, ensuring judicial independence, and fostering accountability among public officials.” 

Report: Politically-motivated killings increase in SA in election years

23rd May 2024 in , /by

South Africa’s democracy is under threat from politically motivated assassinations, which have increased significantly in recent times and particularly in election years. This is revealed in a new report from the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime, whose South African crime observatory has recorded at least 10 politically-related murders between January and April 2024.

Concourt’s MK judgment is about integrity of Parliament

22nd May 2024 in , , /by

Regarding the ConCourt judgment handed down this week in the IEC/MK Party case, writes Moepeng Talane for CW Voices, politically some may find the solutions sought to deal with former president Jacob Zuma’s election controversies unnecessarily harsh and unbecoming, but in the juristic realm he is just one of us, the millions of South Africans who must play by the same rules every day, without fail. South Africa’s Constitution promotes equality before the law and makes some provisions to separate those who respect it from those who don’t.

Zuma judgment confirms key CSO role in upholding constitutional democracy

21st May 2024 in , , , /by

The Constitutional Court yesterday handed down judgment in the IEC/MK Party case which contested former president Jacob Zuma’s eligibility to stand for election to the National Assembly as a member of the party. The court ruled that Zuma was ineligible for such an appointment in terms of Section 47(1)(e) of the Constitution, because of his 15-month jail sentence for contempt of court in 2021. Corruption Watch was one of four amici curiae supporting the IEC.

Former minister’s court woes not over, corruption trial looming

20th May 2024 in , /by

Former state security minister Bongani Bongo has been embroiled in corruption cases for several years. Recently accusations against Bongo, relating to money laundering and corruption, were discharged – but the former minister still has to answer to charges of offering a bribe to the evidence leader in Parliament’s Eskom inquiry in 2017. The discharged charges relate to allegations of inflating the costs of land, worth around R74-million, which was sold to two Mpumalanga municipalities.

SA’s public service is dysfunctional – the 5 main reasons why

17th May 2024 in , /by

A change in political leadership would make little difference to development without a major reform of the public service, writes political science researcher and lecturer Dr Marcel Nagar. However, South Africans going to the polls on 29 May would do well to consider at least getting the right people into those leadership positions, so that the reform can begin in earnest.