CORRUPTION NEWS

Timeline of the arms deal

This is not an exhaustive list of every event connected to the arms deal, but it encompasses the main events. Source: Paul Holden’s The Arms Deal in Your Pocket, with additions from newspaper reports. October 1995: The South African Air Force (SAAF) reviews what it needs, and decides that it only needs to replace one tier of jets: the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Allegations of corruption

It wasn’t long before allegations of corruption began to surface. In a report dated 18 January 2001, the Western Cape’s director of public prosecutions, Advocate Frank Kahn, and Advocate Jan Lubbe, working for the Heath special investigating unit, recommended further investigation into the deal. The Heath unit, the forerunner to today’s Special Investigating Unit, had Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

More construction civil claims on the cards

The Competition Tribunal has received new applications for certificates against unscrupulous construction companies, which means that more civil claims could be coming up. In November 2013 we reported that the door had been opened for civil claims against companies found guilty in the bid-rigging and collusion construction scandal, with the issuing of the first four Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

What’s the arms deal all about?

Formally known as the Strategic Defence Package, the arms deal, to use its notorious nickname, was a multi-billion-rand military acquisition project finalised in 1999 by the South African government. If allegations currently under investigation by a top-level commission are proven true, it will be the biggest corruption scandal in the country’s history. The acquisition was Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Help make our voice count!

A Corruption Watch idea, involving online citizen activism against corruption, is one of 196 that have made it through to the public voting round in the annual Making All Voices Count global innovation competition. Check it out here and vote for our idea – there are two weeks left! South Africa is one of 12 countries Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Arms deal commission to resume

The two-man Arms Procurement Commission, or the Seriti Commission, resumes on 20 January and will continue until 16 May. The commission is investigating “allegations of fraud, corruption, impropriety or irregularity in the strategic defence procurement package” and will question the rationale for the arms deal, whether the equipment purchased is adequately used or not, and Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

NW premier driving up costs

Our first zero for the year is North West premier Thandi Modise, whose purchase of a R1.3-million luxury car has outraged citizens. In October 2013 finance minister Pravin Gordhan announced a range of measures aimed at curbing excessive public spending – the buying of cars was included in his anti-spending strategy. Modise bought a swanky Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

The rise of civil society groups in Africa

By André-Michel Essoungou, The Africa Report In recent years, civil society groups have become major actors in the fight against corruption, both nationally and on the global stage. Under the glaring sun of a recent Monday, an unusual group of protesters marched on the streets of Kampala, Uganda's capital. All dressed in black "to mourn Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Mpumalanga DoH extends circumcision probe

Following an investigation by Corruption Watch, the Mpumalanga Department of Health has extended its probe into a multi-million rand contract awarded to Mkhago Health Care Services as part of the province’s Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision programme. In October 2013 the health department suspended the R182-million contract with Mkhago Health Care Services when Corruption Watch revealed Read more >