Entries by Corruption Watch

New report unpacks the working of social and ethics committees

29th March 2022 in , /by

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

22nd March 2022 in , /by

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.

SAP ordered to repay millions to DWS, as software contracts are set aside

17th March 2022 in , , /by

The Special Tribunal, operating under the auspices of the Special Investigating Unit, has ordered multinational software company SAP to repay the Department of Water and Sanitation for some of the money it received under circumstances of irregular procurement. The repayment amount comes to just under half of the total money paid out – at least R413-million, out of R1.036-billion – and the associated contracts have been set aside.

Ebrahim Patel tells Parly he will remove current Lotteries board

14th March 2022 in , , /by

Trade and Industry minister Ebrahim Patel has told Parliament that he has instructed lawyers to end the terms of the remaining members of the National Lotteries Commission board, reports GroundUp. The board has been plagued with scandal for years. It’s the right time to apply Corruption Watch’s recommendations on such appointments, sent in late 2020 to the parliamentary committee overseeing the board.

OGP at 10: toward democratic renewal around the world

9th March 2022 in , /by

This year the Open Government Partnership marks its 10th year of operations. In 2011, South Africa was one of the eight founding countries of the organisation, along with Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, Philippines, the UK and the US. Now 78 members strong, the OGP works to provide an international platform that enables domestic reformers to make their governments more open, accountable, responsive to citizens, and corruption-free.

The day Russian money didn’t freeze – despite international sanctions

7th March 2022 in , /by

Countries currently imposing sanctions on Russia because of its invasion of Ukraine will wait a long time for those in power to tighten their belts, writes Ilya Shumanov of Transparency International Russia. Wealthy, influential Russians have many ways of easily getting their money out of the country, while some reside in the very Western countries that are condemning their homeland. Ultimately, those who will really feel the harsh effects of sanctions are ordinary Russian citizens.