The poor are hungry as wrangle rages on

• Bags of maize meal being handed out to members of the public in KwaZulu-Natal. Image: Tebogo Letsie/City Press. By Janine ErasmusFirst published by City Press South Africa is still a country of inequality, and the Covid-19 coronavirus-enforced lockdown has intensified the deep divisions in our society. On one hand, there are people stuck in Read more >

Marikana caught in politicised food parcels storm

Image: Sabeehah Motala By Valencia Talane A community in Marikana, Rustenburg, in the North West is learning the hard way the cost of being poor and not politically connected during the Covid-19 lockdown. They are caught up in a political storm that is costing them the most urgent need, food. And a ward councillor in Read more >

ConCourt judgment: How does this change politics as we know it?

By Lizeka Tandwa and Jan Gerber First published on News24 Following the Constitutional Court ruling on Thursday, Parliament could adopt the local government system in provincial and national elections, political analysts and a constitutional law expert predict. The landmark judgment, delivered by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will see independent candidates competing in the elections, even without Read more >

Cele cleared of wrongdoing by court, PP’s report set aside

By Thato Mahlangu The public protector’s 2018 report, which found police minister Bheki Cele to have ‘failed’ to protect two whistle-blowers, was declared invalid by the Gauteng North High Court last Wednesday. Cele had taken the report under judicial review. The court also cleared Cele of wrongdoing when it found that his department is not Read more >

CSOs write to SADC urging action against Covid-19 corruption

Corruption Watch is one of nine signatories to an open letter to the secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), in which they commend measures taken so far to address the spread of the Covid-19 virus on the continent, and propose 10 guidelines for addressing potential corruption that might occur during the management of Read more >

New key appointments to ‘stabilise’ the NPA

By Thato Mahlangu Two new executive appointments at the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will bring stability to the organisation. Tasked with fighting crime and corruption and prosecuting those found guilty, the NPA has been heavily criticised by the public and civil society organisations, with media reports suggesting that it is taking its time, especially with Read more >

Assault, threats, and the butt of a state gun

Image: GCIS By Valencia Talane NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect new criminal charges brought against four Minneapolis policemen implicated in the death of George Floyd. Initially one officer was charged with third-degree murder but his charge has been upgraded to second-degree, while three more accused of playing a role in Floyd’s death Read more >

Water dept to provide clarity on corruption investigations

By Thato Mahlangu The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) wants the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to pull up its socks and conclude investigations that relate to fraud and corruption cases. During a committee meeting held in Parliament on Tuesday 26 May 2020, Scopa’s chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said DWS should have dealt speedily Read more >

Auditor-General has eye on Covid-19 relief package

The Auditor-General (AGSA) has briefed Parliament on its role during the Covid-19 disaster, and given insight into possible delays in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) audits. Both audit processes are crucial to managing the use of the public purse as they track and identify irregular spending, among others. Read more >