Private sector action against corruption – part one

By Janine Erasmus Corruption in the public sector is under constant scrutiny, but there’s no doubt that the private sector is affected too. Where corruption in public procurement takes place for example, it’s likely that a private company will be involved, either as a victim or a perpetrator. In the latest Global Economic Crime Survey, Read more >

Attacks on public protector are unacceptable

Corruption Watch notes with great concern the repeated attacks on the Office of the Public Protector, the latest incident involving comments made by the Justice Portfolio Committee in Parliament last week. The attacks reflect a pattern of disrespect and contempt for a vital institution in South Africa’s constitutional democracy.   Under the leadership of Advocate Read more >

The court’s role in fighting corruption

On Thursday 5 June 2014 Judge Fritz Brand, of the Supreme Court of Appeal, addressed the Symposium on Corruption in the Public Sector, which was hosted by the University of the Free State (UFS). The event was held under the auspices of the university’s law faculty, and according to the university, it arose from the Read more >

Challenging the system on behalf of refugees

By Valencia Talane Seeking solutions to the problem of corruption at refugee reception centres seems to be an increasingly challenging task for many organisations working in the field of refugee and asylum seeker rights. Hundreds of cases of vulnerable asylum seekers are documented regularly by such organisations with the hope that a change in policy Read more >

Five years on, Phakoe case is still wide open

The formerly convicted killers of Rustenburg councillor and corruption fighter Moss Phakoe may have been released, but the case is by no means over. So say trade union federation Cosatu and the family of the murdered man, who are questioning the competence of the South African Police Service (Saps) in investigating the case. However, the Read more >

Kayla Norsworthy is leading by example

By Janine Erasmus Just two years out of school, 20-year-old Kayla Norsworthy is intent on making her mark in her community. She recently became a member of R2K – the Right 2 Know campaign – where she works with other young people in her area. She's also a member of the South Durban Community Environmental Read more >

Revive plan for bureau to root out corruption

Opinion: Nicola Whitaker New Public Service and Administration Minister Collins Chabane appears to be confronting head-on his department’s task of transforming the public service into an "effective service delivery machine". Last week, the Business Day reported that Chabane sees rooting out corruption as part of his department’s normal work. On this score, he highlights the Read more >

Corrupt officials make life tough for refugees

By Valencia Talane In May 2012 home affairs director-general Mkuseli Apleni stated in Parliament that the department had noted progress in the implementation of the Refugees Amendment Act of 2011. The focus of his presentation before the portfolio committee on home affairs was the state’s improved ability to track the records of applicants of asylum Read more >

Well run businesses resist local and global corruption

By Valencia Talane South Africa’s corruption dilemma is a characteristic of the developing world, and it’s not unique to this country. There’s an urgent need, however, for the implementation of anti-corruption strategies which will enforce the abundant anti-corruption legislation already in place. This will spare South Africa the erosion of good business and political practices Read more >