Beyond the rhetoric: youth and anti-corruption efforts in Indonesia
Youth Month: a look at Indonesia’s example of youth pushing for accountability, from the perspective of an anti-corruption researcher.
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Entries by Corruption Watch
Government starts review of social grants payment system
GroundUp reports that the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation has finally started a review of the social grants payment system, hoping to fix long-running problems that have affected the lives of millions of beneficiaries. The process is expected to run until December, but activists are urging the department to prioritise the matter.
Turning the tide on crime and corruption in pangolin scale and ivory trafficking
Corruption is an enabler of wildlife crime, and can occur at any stage along the illegal trade chain. With the involvement of organised crime syndicates, law enforcement agencies’ task is made that much more difficult. A glimmer of hope was revealed recently by the Wildlife Justice Commission, which reported that in the years since the Covid-19 lockdown lifted, trafficking in elephant ivory and pangolin scales remains at a fraction of the pre-Covid volumes.
Tax Justice Network: Financial secrecy a growing driver of autocracy
This year’s Financial Secrecy Index, released on 3 June by the Tax Justice Network, shows that nine of the top 10 countries are seeing worsening conditions for democracy. The US again tops the list of 141 countries, contributing nearly 6% of the world’s financial secrecy, while the EU as a bloc accounts for 21%.
WC High Court declares Hlophe’s appointment to JSC unconstitutional
Corruption Watch welcomes the judgment handed down yesterday, 2 June 2025, by the Western Cape High Court in the matter of the designation of Dr John Hlophe to the Judicial Services Commission. The court declared that Hlophe, an impeached former judge president of that same court, was not fit and suitable to serve on a body that safeguards the integrity and independence of the judiciary, and set his appointment aside.
Western Cape High Court sets aside Hlophe JSC appointment
The Western Cape High Court ruled on 2 June 2025 that the impeached former judge president of that same court – now MP for the Mkhonto weSizwe Party – Dr John Hlophe, will not be part of the Judicial Services Commission. The court handed down a judgment that invalidated Parliament’s decision to designate Hlophe to the body, saying the appointment was unconstitutional and setting it aside. Hlophe’s party intends to appeal the judgment.
DPSA, Treasury on the hunt for ghost workers
The Department of Public Service and Administration appeared before Parliament this week to brief the Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration on steps it is taking to clean up the pervasive problem of ghost workers on the government payroll. The department will work with National Treasury in this endeavour, and will continue to guide departments and government entities to improve public service ethics and integrity, and fight corruption.
Political intervention needed to save local govt: Maluleke
A decade of excessive use of consultants, neglect by political leadership, and bleak prospects for bettering governance at local government level. This is the state of our local government, unless a political intervention is sought. The latest local government audit outcomes report from the Auditor-General shows more of the same bad news.
How CSOs can drive anti-corruption work during SA’s G20 leadership year
As South Africa assumes the G20 chairpersonship, writes Dr Sunday Israel Oyebamiji for the Democracy Development Programme, an opportunity arises to strengthen institutional advocacy and enhance the effectiveness of civil society organisations in anti-corruption efforts.