Entries by Corruption Watch

Edelman research: business the most trusted institution in the world in 2024

Business is the most trusted sector in the world, above NGOs, media, and governments, according to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, released by global communications firm Edelman earlier this year. The survey also revealed that developing countries have a much greater overall trust rating in the four institutions than developed countries, and the UK was the worst of the latter, finding itself at the bottom of the table in terms of overall trust levels.

What procurement data can tell us about procrastination

CW’s Kirsten Pearson recently undertook an analysis of the levels of public spending over the past financial year. She found a spike in new contracts, as well as in authorised deviations and expansions, in the few months before financial year-end – and particularly in November and December 2023. This year-end spending surge is likely to result in unwise procurement decisions as departments rush to use unspent funds to avoid having to give them back to Treasury.

Public service professionalisation has begun to take shape

The mammoth task of professionalising the public service is gathering momentum. The National Assembly recently passed the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill and the Public Service Amendment Bill, while the Department of Public Service and Administration has also published a new directive to guide departments in implementing the professionalisation framework which was launched in October 2022.

Mothibi tells of death threats, corruption, faulty public procurement system

Special Investigating Unit head Andy Mothibi spoke candidly about South Africa’s broken procurement system and the challenges the unit faces on a daily basis in challenging the relentless corruption within and exploitation of the system. In a recent interview with News24, he revealed that he and his team face not only pushback against reforms but also threats to their safety, in an onslaught that continues on a daily basis.