Open data is a key factor in fighting corruption

An open, democratic government system that gives its citizens access to information on its plans, its spending patterns and its services – it's the ideal that the world’s open data advocates work towards daily, for the nations that need it. Whether or not they will win the war against administrative secrecy remains to be seen, Read more >

Madonsela responds to Nhleko’s Nkandla report

Source: Public Protector The public protector, Advocate Thuli Madonsela, notes police minister Nathi Nhleko’s report to Parliament on the security upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s private residence in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal. She is of the view that Minister Nhleko gave the matter his best and that he applied his mind to the issues at hand. The Read more >

Zuma doesn’t have to pay back the money

Police Minister Nathi Nhleko yesterday gave his report-back on the Nkandla upgrades. At a press briefing punctuated by educational videos on the use and meaning of various features at Nkandla, Nhleko revealed his conclusion: President Jacob Zuma does not have to pay back any of the money. Nhleko’s report stems from a recommendation by the Read more >

Zuma doesn’t have to pay back the money

President Zuma has been exonerated by Police Minister Nathi Nhleko, who briefed the media on his Nkandla report. Image source: GCIS Police Minister Nathi Nhleko yesterday gave his report-back on the Nkandla upgrades. At a press briefing punctuated by educational videos on the use and meaning of various features at Nkandla, Nhleko revealed his conclusion: Read more >

Nkandla report crafted to exonerate President Zuma

The release of Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s Nkandla report yesterday, and its conclusion that President Zuma is cleared of all obligation to pay back any of the costs associated with the upgrade of his personal home, was met with dismay by Corruption Watch. It highlights the current trend that allows, if not encourages, our leaders Read more >

Namibian president voluntarily declares assets

South Africa is a country where assets and business interests, including that of government officials, can be a murky, secretive matter. But our north-western neighbour Namibia is showing how it's done – newly appointed president Hage Geingob and his wife Monica have both voluntarily made disclosures of their assets and business interests. This, says Rick Read more >

Madonsela clarifies confusion over her office’s powers

Source: Office of the Public Protector Public Protector Thuli Madonsela has attributed the ongoing confusion on the powers of her office to the tendency to delink the office from other independent institutions established under chapter nine of the Constitution and the fact that the Public Protector Act is not in line with the Constitution. Addressing Read more >

Clergyman accused of corruption walks free

Source: Lead SA The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has withdrawn a charge of corruption against Reverend Josias Mabaso following a psychiatric report that deemed him “unfit to stand trial”. Mabaso, in his late 70s, appeared in the Johannesburg Commercial Crimes Court on Monday where he was standing trial for bribery and corruption. Mabaso is also Read more >

Mbeki: illicit financial flows crippling the continent

Former president Thabo Mbeki chairs the African Union’s high level panel on illicit financial flows (IFFs). He addressed the Pan-African Parliament last week on the excessive cost to Africa of these illegal activities. Read Mbeki’s full speech below. Honourable President and Vice Presidents of the Pan African Parliament, Honourable Members, Ladies and Gentlemen: I would Read more >