Combating trade-based money laundering

By Jason Kohn First published on the Global AntiCorruption Blog Global trade has quadrupled in the last 25 years, and with this growth has come the increased risk of trade-based money laundering. Criminals often use the legitimate flow of goods across borders—and the accompanying movement of funds—to relocate value from one jurisdiction to another without Read more >

Local govt non-compliance at highest level since 2012, says AG

By Kwazi Dlamini R25.2-billion – that’s the amount of irregular expenditure recorded by South African municipalities for the 2017/2018 financial year according to Auditor General (AG) Kimi Makwetu.  Makwetu on Wednesday released the audit findings reports of 257 municipalities.  Irregular expenditure decreased from the R29.7-billion of the previous year, but non-compliance with key governance laws Read more >

CW anticipating prosecutions in state capture to begin soon

By Linda van Tilburg First published on BizNews It is now well-known how Jacob Zuma and his associates destroyed capacity at many state institutions during his nine year tenure as President of South Africa. We get daily reminders as Eskom struggles to keep the lights on and keeps professing a very large begging bowl. Much Read more >

Who owns a bribe? And why does it matter?

By Rick MessickFirst published on the Global Anticorruption Blog A public servant who accepts a bribe can do with it as he or she pleases. Put it in a bank, sell it, give it away, or even bet it at the roulette table. What if the bribe-taker is caught, though, and government wants to recover Read more >

Guns, politics, lies: the arms deal’s whitewash commission

By Tara Davis and Deborah Mutemwa-TumboFirst published in the Sunday Times What is the point of commissions of inquiry? Are they powerful tools for investigating issues of public concern that can ultimately bring about justice, or are they expensive political options used by those in power to pacify the public and justify impunity? Corruption Watch Read more >

Heroin rise in SA facilitated by corruption

By Kwazi Dlamini Our new two-part series is based on a recent ENACT report into South Africa’s heroin abuse problem, and the role corruption plays in its spread. Part one looks at the current situation and its players, while part two looks at the deeper effects of drug use on users, communities, and others, and Read more >

Arms deal commission FAQ, and CW and R2K’s challenge

What is a commission of inquiry? A commission of inquiry is one of many bodies available to the government to inquire into various issues. Commissions report findings, give advice and make recommendations. While their findings are not legally binding, they can be highly influential. Commissions must act strictly within their terms of reference and ensure Read more >

Arms deal and Seriti Commission FAQ

What was the arms deal? In December 1999, the South African government signed contracts with a number of European defence companies to buy a range of sophisticated military equipment. South Africa purchased: Gripen jet fighters and Hawk jet fighter trainers from the UK/Swedish partnership, British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) and Saab. corvette warships from the Read more >