Rebuilding squandered public trust means being careful of which persons are elected to power, and punishing those who are caught in wrongdoing. This is the message from Strengthening public trust, a session recently held at the OECD’s 10th annual global anti-corruption and integrity forum.
Public integrity means doing what is right for the economy and society. Political leaders are essential to public integrity because they set the tone for all levels under them – but time and time again they have shown that they cannot be trusted to lead with integrity. The OECD’s 10th annual global anti-corruption and integrity forum set out to address this issue, among others.
The South African public has waited for a long time for the oft-promised lifestyle audit programme to kick in across all government spheres. This is finally a reality, with the announcement in March 2022 by Public Service and Administration minister Ayanda Dlodlo that lifestyle audits are compulsory for all national and provincial departments, as of 1 April.
For too long, it has been easy to use layers of fake companies to hide illicit funds in the financial system, write Corruption Watch’s Mashudu Masutha, and Open Ownership’s Karabo Rajuili. Is the Financial Action Task Force’s new recommendation on beneficial ownership transparency enough to make a difference?
Corruption Watch has achieved much in the first decade of its existence, but there is more work still to be done, writes the organisation’s acting chairperson Mzukisi Qobo. The continuing fight against corruption will require collaboration across civil society, the business community, and state agencies that are tasked with checking corruption.
Whistleblowers expose unlawful or immoral activities conducted by people, organisations, corporations or governments. Too often, they risk their own safety to bring human rights abusers to account and to achieve justice for the abused.
Today, 3 May, is World Press Freedom Day. We may not all like or even tolerate the media, but a free press is a vital component of any strong democracy because it holds power to account, fights for the truth, and informs voters so they can make their mark with authority.
Since 26 March 2020 there has been no way for refugees to apply for asylum, writes Tariro Washinyira for GroundUp, but with the recent lifting of the national state of disaster, the Department of Home Affairs will reopen its in-person services for refugees. The services – notably new asylum applications – are available from today, 3 May 2022.
Optics are important in any government, anywhere. Politicians want to look good. But when optics and pretty words are all that’s delivered, then governance is fractured, and public trust remains in the doldrums.