Entries by Corruption Watch

CW weighs in on Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights amendment bill

31st March 2021 in , , /by

Corruption Watch recently made a submission to Parliament on the Upgrading of Land Tenure Rights amendment bill, which was passed by the National Assembly in December 2020. Our comments and concerns focused on women’s rights to land ownership, detrimental limitations on the ability of interested persons to object to conversions or to voice their objections, and the importance of ensuring that holders of vulnerable rights are able to access any information relating to processes, such as inquiries, that will impact their constitutionally protected rights to land.

CW research reveals opacity, regulation breaches on govt tender portals

30th March 2021 in , , , /by

As part of Corruption Watch’s Open Contracting for Health project, which aims to advocate for greater transparency in health procurement processes, we undertook research into the quality and accessibility of procurement data published on government portals. The research was conducted on our behalf by Open Cities Lab, and It revealed the glaring lack of quality, complete data available on public health-related procurement portals in South Africa.

CW annual report: average 11 whistle-blower reports a day in 2020

25th March 2021 in , , , /by

Released today, Corruption Watch’s 2020 annual report, titled From Crisis to Action, reveals that last year the organisation received the second highest number of reports of corruption in a calendar year since its inception in 2012, and importantly, the highest number of reports implicating the policing and healthcare sectors. As in previous years, the majority of reports came from Gauteng, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.

Algorithms and artificial intelligence as an anti-corruption tool

23rd March 2021 in , /by

Using artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms to track down suspicious activity, for instance in banking transactions, is a fast-developing field. But there is a long way to go – if it ever happens – before the system will be able to work without human monitoring, say experts. AI will automate tasks that human beings are already doing – just much faster and using fewer computational resources.

MEDIA ADVISORY: CW to launch 2020 annual corruption report

19th March 2021 in , /by

Corruption Watch will release its ninth annual corruption report, titled From Crisis to Action, on Thursday, 25 March at 10h00. The report highlights areas of concern reported by whistle-blowers to the organisation, exposes the gaps that exist in the fight against corruption, and reveals some of the steps taken to tackle corruption through collaborative efforts. Importantly, the report reveals how the organisation was stirred ‘from crisis to action’ during the lockdown restrictions of the past year.

‘Why does no one care about us?’ ask NW mining communities

18th March 2021 in , , , /by

Corruption Watch is advocating for the release of the Mafereka commission report, which has not seen the light of day, years after its submission to the North West premier’s office. But the premier’s office, writes CW’s Matshidiso Dibakwane, is not co-operating with us or with the communities affected by the refusal to release the report, which looked into disputes and claims relating to traditional leadership in the province.

Citizens can play a role in Covid-19 vaccination transparency

15th March 2021 in , , /by

Access to information can help prevent corruption, including the abuse of public resources, conflicts of interest and bribery, says Transparency International. It also helps the public have a clear and accurate understanding of issues that have a major impact on their lives – and for this reason citizens should not hesitate to ask questions of government in relation to Covid-19 vaccine procurement. This will help to manage expectations, build trust in government, and uncover misinformation.

Municipal elections to be a major test on two fronts

11th March 2021 in , , , /by

The Covid-19 pandemic and the imminent enforcement of the Political Party Funding Act, due to commence on 1 April 2021, are two important factors shaping this year’s municipal elections, scheduled to take place between 4 August and 1 November. South Africa’s electoral commission will use by-elections in April and May to test its systems and Covid-19 protocols, and encourages political parties, independent candidates and other stakeholders to do the same.