Entries by Corruption Watch

For whistle-blowers, there are few rewards but many risks

Whistleblowers are like you and me, writes Moepeng Talane, a senior journalist and editor with Corruption Watch. They want the same things as you and me: a country that stands and thrives on the values of its people and cherishes the calling of public service. “Our collective responsibility does not end at putting an X next to our favoured political party or representative, but we are also encouraged, even mandated by our laws, to hold recipients of our votes accountable.”

SIU pounces on Lotteries Commission, finds corruption networks

The Special Investigating Unit has uncovered corruption networks which enabled National Lottery Commission officials, in cahoots with non-profit organisations, service providers, and other individuals, to siphon millions of rands from the commission’s coffers – money which the poor of this country had gambled with in the hopes of winning a better life. The SIU has embarked on litigation to recover these funds and set aside grants awarded irregularly.

General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola is SA’s new top cop

General Sehlahle Fannie Masemola has been appointed as South Africa’s new national police commissioner, replacing Kehla Sithole who finishes his last day in office today. Masemola is a career policeman who, it is expected, will ensure continuity in the top cop position – but Corruption Watch has expressed concern that his appointment was devoid of transparency and public participation.

New report unpacks the working of social and ethics committees

A joint study from the Institute of Directors in Southern Africa and the Ethics Institute, published at the end of 2021, has shed light on the workings of social and ethics committees. These committees are mandatory in all state-owned and listed companies, as well as those with a public interest score of more than 500, and are responsible for monitoring and measuring the impact that certain specified company activities have on communities and the public at large.

Interpol red notice: what it means and why SA requested it

Bernadine Benson of Unisa explains more about the Interpol red notice recently issued for Rajesh and Atul Gupta, now believed to be in Dubai. The Gupta brothers fled South Africa in 2018 after the state capture scandal broke, but the red notice could pave the way for their arrest and extradition from the United Arab Emirates to face fraud and money laundering charges.