Entries by Corruption Watch

South Africans have low trust in their police. Here’s why

Public confidence and trust in the South African Police Force has dipped sharply in the last year, while showing a decline overall, and now sits at an all-time low according to the Human Sciences Research Council. The council’s Evaluation of Public Opinion Programme has been running since 1998 and shows a national decline of seven percentage points in 2021, with more than 20 points in the Western Cape. If left unchecked, this situation will continue to undermine police legitimacy in the country.

The case for an international anti-corruption court, or not – part 1

One current hot topic in the news and elsewhere is that of the establishment of an international anti-corruption court (IACC). There are arguments for, and against, the proposal – and both sides make valid points. Our new mini-series takes a closer look at some of the factors that may influence the establishment of an IACC. In part 1 we present an overview of the concept.

NGOs condemn Motsoaledi attack on HSF

The insults hurled by home affairs minister Aaron Motsoaledi at the Helen Suzman Foundation amount to nothing more than an abuse of power. Civil society organisations including Freedom Under Law, Section27, Defend Our Democracy Campaign, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, SERI and Corruption Watch, have demanded that Motsoaledi retract his unjustified statements and apologise to the foundation.

We, the people, must play the political game rather than being played

Amid the uproar around the Phala Phala scandal, writes Corruption Watch’s Melusi Ncala, are we not losing sight of the more substantive issues at play? A head of state is accused of money laundering, bribery and kidnapping – damning allegations, and frightening. We must not be sidetracked by the noise and the show, but keep our focus on the important systemic weaknesses that must be addressed.

IBACF pledge signifies commitment to ridding construction sector of corruption

Members of the Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum, including Corruption Watch, today signed an anti-corruption pledge which sealed their commitment towards eradicating corruption in the construction sector. Also present were Public Works and Infrastructure minister Patricia De Lille, Special Investigating Unit head Advocate Andy Mothibe, Hawks head General Godfrey Lebeya, and industry representatives.