Entries by Corruption Watch

She knew too much: why Babita Deokaran had to die

20 August 2025 in , , /by

Slain whistle-blower Babita Deokaran knew the truth – and she paid the ultimate price for her knowledge. In his new book The Shadow State, investigative journalist Jeff Wicks delves deep into the circumstances surrounding Deokaran’s murder, showing the intricate web of shell companies, inflated prices, and collusive bidding linked to the Gauteng Department of Health. To date no officials have been held accountable, and her family is denied justice.

UN adopts resolution linking corruption and human rights violations

14 August 2025 in , /by

The UN General Assembly, during its 59th session held in July 2025, confirmed what Corruption Watch and many other organisations and individuals around the world already know – that corruption and the violation of fundamental human rights are inextricably linked. The UN Human Rights Council adopted, by consensus, a resolution titled The negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights and called on governments to take steps to tackle the situation.

Justice for Fishrot victims once more delayed

14 August 2025 in , /by

Defendants in Namibia’s largest ever corruption case have again escaped answering for their crimes, writes Richard Messick for the Global Anticorruption Blog. The long-awaited trial has been delayed numerous times because at every opportunity, the accused have turned rules meant to ensure criminal trials are fairly conducted into weapons for postponing theirs.

In South Africa, bribery has become our currency

12 August 2025 in , , /by

A culture of bribery is destroying South Africa’s soul, turning integrity into a commodity and honour into myth, writes Kekeletso Nakeli in this heartfelt opinion piece. In essence, she says, we are teaching our children that credibility can be bought. “We have fostered a corrupt society; it is evident that the brown envelope culture comes from the corridors of power.”

Women’s parly committee set on process reforms following CGE ruling

11 August 2025 in , , /by

Earlier this month the Constitutional Court rule found the appointment process of five commissioners to the Commission for Gender Equality, undertaken in 2022, invalid as it offered inadequate public participation. The court ordered the process to be re-run within 12 months. Accordingly, Parliament’s portfolio committee on women, youth and persons with disabilities plans to start a new appointment process in September.

Corruption Watch celebrates ConCourt victory in CGE challenge

1 August 2025 in , , , , /by

Corruption Watch welcomes the unanimous Constitutional Court judgment in its favour, handed down today in its challenge to the National Assembly’s 2023 appointment of five commissioners to the Commission for Gender Equality. The court found the legislature to have failed in its constitutional duty to facilitate reasonable and meaningful public participation in the appointment process, declared the appointments invalid, and ordered the process to be run again.

ConCourt ruling vindicates CW in public participation case

1 August 2025 in , , , /by

The Constitutional Court on Friday handed down a unanimous judgment finding that the National Assembly failed to comply with its constitutional obligation to facilitate reasonable public involvement in recommending persons to be appointed to Chapter 9 institutions. Corruption Watch had approached the court to have the 2022 appointments of five members of the Commission for Gender Equality declared invalid, based on the legislature’s rushed and limited approach in seeking public submissions on the process.

SA police serve the ANC insiders, not the people: here’s how it happened

30 July 2025 in , /by

To depoliticise the police service and redirect its attention and activities towards crime and emergencies, writes governance and public management expert Ivor Chipkin, a crucial first step is to reconsider the appointment processes for the national police commissioner and other top managers.
Under the current system the president has sole discretion, Chipkin says, which makes party-political considerations a given. Without structural changes, genuine democratic policing will remain an elusive ideal.