Entries by Corruption Watch

Procurement Reform Working Group says bill is deficient and dangerous

10 January 2024 in , , /by

South Africa’s Public Procurement Bill, now sitting with the National Council of Provinces, is one of the most consequential statutes advanced by the current administration. It will govern South Africa’s trillion rands of annual procurement expenditure – a mighty responsibility. But despite legislative drafting proceeding since 2014, says the Procurement Reform Working Group in a recent statement, the Bill has been rushed through Parliament, no doubt because of the 2024 elections. Read the statement here.

Copper theft part one: Illicit market killing South Africa’s infrastructure

10 January 2024 in , /by

In our new two-part mini series, we consider the devastating effect of the relentless theft of copper on South Africa’s infrastructure, and the consequent burden such theft places on the country’s economy and society. Part one sets the scene as it stands currently, and part two details the ways in which the situation is being addressed, including legislation, law enforcement efforts, and international co-operation.

Special Investigating Unit on progress in tackling construction mafia

4 January 2024 in , , /by

The Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum, chaired by the Special Investigating Unit, has shared progress made in the fight against South Africa’s so-called construction mafia. Of 712 cases referred for investigation, said the forum after its most recent quarterly meeting, so far 722 people have been arrested and 52 convictions have been secured.

Prosecutions, zero-tolerance culture key to fighting corruption in SA

3 January 2024 in , , /by

State capture has had far-reaching consequences in South Africa, especially for public institutions that are meant to serve the people and stimulate development, writes Darren Parker for Engineering News. But despite few arrests and even fewer prosecutions, as well as the ongoing skirting of accountability by both politicians and implicated businesspeople, the country has not been entirely passive in the face of state capture and broad-based corruption.

SIU and CSIR to work with Interpol in cross-border collaboration

13 December 2023 in , /by

The Special Investigating Unit has signed an MoU with Interpol’s National Central Bureau for South Africa. This will allow the organisation to have direct access to Interpol’s information system, which extends to 195 countries, and will facilitate tracking criminals across borders. The CSIR’s information and cyber security research centre will support the SIU in various areas, including cyber infrastructure support and use of AI, blockchain, and other technologies to combat crime and corruption.

Mashatile’s bland, boring IACD speech a sad reflection of out-of-touch leadership

12 December 2023 in , /by

Why do we insist on piling accolades on a democratically elected government for managing public resources and interests competently and within the confines of the law, writes Corruption Watch’s Moepeng Talane for CW Voices. It’s like praising a fish for swimming, she adds – for doing exactly what they are required to do. “We cannot afford the business-as-usual, complacent attitude of our leaders toward corruption and towards events that highlight the urgency needed to deal with it.”

Media advisory: CW urges SA COSP group to intensify anti-corruption efforts

8 December 2023 in , , , , , /by

With a few days to go before the 10th session of the United Nations Convention against Corruption Conference of States Parties opens, Corruption Watch has written to the South African delegation urging it to intensify its efforts in the areas of beneficial ownership transparency measures, procurement transparency, international co-operation, and enhanced political finance transparency.