Entries by Corruption Watch

Zuma to plead ‘not guilty’ when corruption trial resumes on 26 May

17 May 2021 in , /by

The corruption trial of former president Jacob Zuma and his co-accused, French arms manufacturer Thales, has begun. Judge Piet Koen adjourned today’s proceedings until 26 May, to accommodate an application regarding the presence of state advocate Billy Downer in the case. Zuma’s formal plea of ‘not guilty’ will be entered on the same day. The trial is set to run from 17 May to 20 June 2021, and such days afterwards as are required.

Zuma corruption trial to commence on 17 May, postponement not ruled out

13 May 2021 in , , /by

Sixteen years of dodging corruption, racketeering and money laundering charges may finally be at an end for former president Jacob Zuma, who is set to go on trial for those charges on Monday 17 May. We say ‘may’ because Zuma currently has no legal team and there has been speculation that the case could be postponed on Monday if he fails to secure legal representation by then.

Conduct of Seriti commission judges to be investigated

12 May 2021 in , , /by

Corruption Watch and Right2Know successfully challenged the findings of the Seriti commission of inquiry into allegations of corruption in the controversial arms deal of 1999. Now, two years after the commission’s report was set aside by the High Court, Judges Willie Seriti and Hendrick Musi, who presided over it, face an investigation into their conduct in the matter.

OECD a “rich countries club” helping firms commit tax abuse, TJN shows

10 May 2021 in , , /by

The equivalent of 26-million nurses’ annual salaries every year, or 50 nurses’ annual salaries every minute – this is how much tax revenue is siphoned from poorer countries around the world, with the not insignificant assistance of the OECD, which sets the rules for global taxation. Read up on the 2021 Corporate Tax Havens Index, released in March 2021 by the Tax Justice Network. This article is part 3 of our mini-series on financial secrecy.

Corruption thrives under Covid-19 – the story of the Balomiti community

7 May 2021 in , , /by

The North West’s Balomiti community is fighting what appears to be irregular mining operations on their privately-owned land, writes Mashudu Masutha, legal researcher in extractives at Corruption Watch. All attempts to engage with the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy have been met with silence, and our investigation revealed that mineral permits awarded during the pandemic period have not been properly recorded. This opacity makes it difficult to establish the chain of events.

Zondo commission, journos, whistle-blowers hailed on Press Freedom Day

3 May 2021 in , , , /by

On this World Press Freedom Day, and the 30th anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration for a free press, we at Corruption Watch salute all the individuals and organisations around the world who work tirelessly, often in the most hostile of environments, to expose crime and corruption and to ensure that nefarious deeds bring consequences for those who commit them.

Global financial secrecy declines, SA remains stagnant on secrecy index

30 April 2021 in , /by

Global financial secrecy has waned over the last couple of years, according to the latest edition of the Financial Secrecy Index, released by the Tax Justice Network. Despite this encouraging sign, however, many countries still play far too great a role in driving the secrecy trade and its elements of tax evasion, money laundering, embezzlement, capital flight, and more. This is part 2 of our mini-series on financial secrecy.