The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) announced on 19 February that it had received the green light, in the form of a presidential proclamation, to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the Department of Home Affairs. It also received a proclamation to investigate the same in the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa. In both cases. the SIU will recover any money lost to unlawful practices.
Earlier in February Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke appeared virtually before the parliamentary Standing Committee on the Auditor General to brief members on progress regarding the material irregularities it had identified during municipal audits. She said her office has noticed improvement in some municipalities’ efforts to submit financial statements, and there were improvements in municipalities that had previously had consecutive disclaimed audit opinions.
Transparency International chapters in several countries have been maliciously attacked following the release of the annual Corruption Perceptions Index two weeks ago. This is a standard tactic of the corrupt, who seek to turn the attention back onto those who expose their activities, thereby deflecting scrutiny away from themselves.
Organised crime is moving up the international agenda, writes Walter Kemp for GI-TOC, with people and governments alike becoming increasingly concerned about violence and instability associated with criminality. The time to act against these threats is now – a strategic and global response is urgently needed.
Traditionally, corruption gets short shrift in the annual State of the Nation address. It is time that President Cyril Ramaphosa moves the topic much higher up the page, writes Corruption Watch executive director Karam Singh, and tells the nation exactly how the government is going to build capable institutions and place the fight against corruption front and centre on its agenda.
The ANC’s renewal project includes strengthening its internal accountability mechanism, writes Moepeng Talane for our CW Voices blog. But will it work?
Corruption Watch and 15 other organisations have written an open letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the final State of the Nation address that he will deliver in this administration, on 8 February 2024. “Please give South Africa hope that we can build an economy that prioritises care, tackles the scourge of gender-based violence, promotes equality, and centres the needs of the most vulnerable.”
The parliamentary portfolio committee on Justice and Correctional Services invites organisations and members of the public to nominate suitable candidates for, or apply for, appointment as deputy public protector. The deadline is no later than 16h00 on Friday, 16 February 2024
Public participation in government can take many forms. One of these forms is when members of the public contribute to the development of laws that affect them – this is their right and duty. There are various opportunities for comment at the moment, and we present a few of them here. Make your voice heard!
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.