Hefty fines for greedy companies

By Thato Mahlangu A company found guilty of inflating prices of masks and personal protection gear has agreed to pay millions in fines after the Competition Commission conducted an investigation into its activities, following complaints. The commission said on Wednesday it referred a matter to the Competition Tribunal after finding evidence of price inflation during Read more >

Corruption prisoners may be among those freed

As the Covid-19 pandemic intensifies, a number of countries have begun to free prisoners who qualify for release under the specific conditions laid down, which vary from nation to nation. In general, inmates whose crimes are considered to be non-violent have been released, as well as those who are nearing the end of their sentence. Read more >

Lockdown causes funding challenges for organisations

By Thato Mahlangu Organisations that rely on individual donations and funding are also economically impacted by the scourge of Covid-19. The Abraham Kriel Children’s home, situated in Modimolle (formerly Nylstroom), was established more than 60 years ago. It’s one of many organisations that won’t get funding during the pandemic. The organisation, which is home to Read more >

Government to tackle food parcel corruption

By Thato Mahlangu Government promises to deal “harshly” with people who may be suspected of stealing food parcels meant for struggling people during the lockdown. Media and social media reports have suggested that in some parts of the country people, including government officials – councillors in particular – have been accused of stealing food parcels. ANC Read more >

Is CPS trying to get out of repaying its R316m debt?

By Zoë PostmanFirst published on GroundUp Corruption Watch slams “legal manoeuverings by CPS to avoid paying its debt to the fiscus” While the battle rages over how much money Cash Paymaster Services (CPS) might have to pay back to the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa), its parent company Net1 has applied to put CPS Read more >

Government announces new measures to help struggling SA

By Thato Mahlangu Billions will be made available to help South Africa get back on its feet, said President Cyril Ramaphosa in an address to the nation on 21 April 2020. Ramaphosa said that additional funding of R20-billion will be allocated to municipalities for the provision of emergency water supply and increased sanitisation of public transport Read more >

Artists struggle during the nation-wide lockdown

By Thato Mahlangu South Africans have been hit hard during the national lockdown, now in its fourth week – and local artists are no exception. Corruption Watch spoke to some artists this week, the first of the two-week extended period, and they told us they don’t know what the future holds for them. “All our Read more >

Gauteng Together: no one is safe unless we are all safe

South Africa’s inequalities have never been more glaring than now, during the Covid-19 global pandemic. The aggressive measures taken to slow the infection rate have brought South Africa’s economy – already in a frail condition – to a virtual standstill but worse, it has increased food insecurity for those who live in poverty or are Read more >

No forced evictions during lockdown, says minister

By Thato Mahlangu Forced evictions, allegedly carried out by the Cape Town and eThekwini municipalities during the national lockdown have been described as inhumane by a union. Since the start of the lockdown security forces in many parts of the Western Cape have forcefully evicted informal settlements from land they had occupied, even though human Read more >