Entries by Corruption Watch

Extreme wealth tax could boost the fiscus and help fight corruption

16th April 2025 in , /by

Extreme wealth is a threat to democracy, says the Tax Justice Network – and it is not alone in this view. The organisation is one of several voices calling for an extreme wealth tax to be imposed worldwide on the super-rich. This would not only help to address wealth inequality but also have spillover positive effects on crimes such as money laundering, drug trafficking, and corruption, through the simultaneous enforcement of beneficial ownership transparency.

New drone fleet to further protect SA’s borders

11th April 2025 in , , /by

A new fleet of border patrol drones, announced this week by Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber, will monitor South Africa’s borders on a full-time basis. The devices can lock onto heat sources, such as people and moving vehicles, can travel at speeds up to 43 kph, and can operate in remote rural areas. Data from the festive season trial period, said Schreiber, shows a 215% increase in the number of attempted illegal crossings that were successfully prevented during that time.

Addressing gender-based corruption challenges across Africa

10th April 2025 in , , /by

Participants at a recent Transparency International online event discussed gender-based corruption and the challenges it throws in the path of affected individuals across Africa, especially in relation to healthcare, education, and access to land. Proposed solutions ranged from community-level interventions and collaborative approaches involving governments, communities, and civil society, all the way up to the progressive taxation of multinationals.

How can Parliament be better? Pari researches and advises

8th April 2025 in , /by

The Public Affairs Research Institute’s new policy brief, titled Oversight in Parliament: The Role of Committees, aims to identify ways in which Parliament’s committees can work more effectively in carrying out their executive oversight obligations. This oversight is crucial for ensuring that service delivery takes place as promised and where this does not happen, that government is answerable to the people it serves – so that all citizens can live a better quality life.

Let South Africa’s people have their say in leadership appointments

4th April 2025 in , , , /by

The provision for the public to participate is a core value that underpins public participation in Parliament’s framework, writes Corruption Watch’s Moepeng Talane. A recent case brought by Corruption Watch to the Constitutional Court, relating to the appointment of candidates to the Commission for Gender Equality, argues that in this instance, the public were not allowed sufficient time or information with which to make an informed decision on the nominees.

Whistleblower Protection Bill is on the way

1st April 2025 in , , , , /by

The Whistleblower Protection Bill will be introduced to Parliament later this year. The bill follows on the state capture commission’s recommendation, contained in its report released in 2022, that whistle-blower legislation be amended to provide increased protection. It also draws on public submissions made in 2023 to the Department of Justice’s widely circulated discussion document on the topic, which Corruption Watch contributed to.

CW releases annual corruption report, urges accountability from GNU, citizens

27th March 2025 in , , , , /by

Corruption Watch today releases its 13th annual corruption report, titled Accountable Together. The theme demonstrates the organisation’s ongoing advocacy for accountability, which must begin with us as individuals and extend to every level of society, business, and government. Our freedom, so clearly articulated in the bill of rights, comes with the responsibility to be accountable and to accept the consequences of our actions.

New index assesses money laundering weaknesses in real estate markets 

26th March 2025 in , /by

The newly released Opacity in Real Estate Ownership index scores 24 jurisdictions, including South Africa, on two metrics: the scope and availability of real estate data; and the strength of anti-money laundering legal frameworks for the real estate sector. The report is published by Transparency International and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective, who say: “Despite years of pledges from the world’s most powerful economies to crack down on money laundering, a new index has found that property markets are still shockingly exposed.”