Entries by Corruption Watch

More police visibility, more police corruption, says ACT report

22 September 2021 in , , , /by

The fifth instalment of Corruption Watch’s Analysis of Corruption Trends report, released today, shows that police-related allegations continue to top the list of sectoral reports received by the organisation. Corruption within law enforcement is so widespread that ordinary citizens are often forced to partake in corrupt activities or suffer a penalty. Corruption relating to schools, housing, and Covid-19 are also prevalent in our whistle-blowers’ complaints.

Zuma rescission application dismissed with costs

17 September 2021 in , /by

The Constitutional Court on 17 September dismissed the application by former president Jacob Zuma to rescind its 29 June judgment which found him guilty of contempt of court. Zuma had based his argument on two grounds – that the order was made in the party’s absence and that an error was made by the court that granted it – neither of which found favour with the justices. Zuma was ordered to pay the commission’s legal costs.

When Anti-corruption Begets Corruption: Lessons from the Roman Republic

13 September 2021 in , /by

Electioneering shenanigans, ineffective laws and commissions of inquiry are familiar scenarios nowadays, but in this article Zachary Meskell, writing for the Global Anticorruption Blog, shows that as far back as the Roman Republic, authorities were wrestling with the same issues. Today’s lawmakers would do well to learn some of the lessons gleaned from the Roman experience, says Meskell.

First party funding report devoid of disclosures from majority of parties

10 September 2021 in , , /by

The Independent Electoral Commission’s first published political party funding report reveals that out of over 500 registered parties, only three – the ANC, DA, and ActionSA – made declarations of qualifying donations received from donors. The total value of declared donations in the first quarter, according to the report, is just over R30-million.

Fishrot whistle-blower determined to see case through to the end

8 September 2021 in , , /by

Whistle-blower Jóhannes Stefánsson is looking forward to testifying in the corruption case he exposed – the Fishrot sage, involving Icelandic fishing company Samherji and various others, including government officials. Furthermore, Stefánsson says both Namibian and Icelandic Fishrot accused are trying to jeopardise and delay the fishing rights bribery scheme cases by lying to the court.

Local government elections must go ahead in 2021, says ConCourt

6 September 2021 in , /by

Despite the recommendation of former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke that local government elections be postponed to February 2022, the Constitutional Court has ordered that they must go ahead at the end of October this year, as originally planned. The Independent Electoral Commission had applied for the postponement primarily out of concern for public health and the current restrictions on political gatherings.