By Dr Sunday Israel OyebamijiFirst published on Democracy Development Programme Corruption is pervasive and undermines democratic governance, economic development, and social justice worldwide. In South Africa, corruption has significantly eroded public trust in institutions and hindered efforts to achieve sustainable development (Mungiu‐Pippidi, 2023). Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a crucial role in addressing corruption through Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
Image: Flickr/National Cogta Source: South African government The minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Mr. Velenkosini Hlabisa, on 20 May 2025 officially launched the review of the White Paper on Local Government during a high-level event held at the Premier Hotel OR Tambo, Kempton Park. This launch represents a pivotal step in reimagining Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
Image: Wikimedia Commons Despite growing awareness of and increasing measures against the illegal wildlife trade (IWT), it remains a serious global threat. This form of transnational organised crime, says the Wildlife Justice Commission, is estimated to generate at least US$20-billion in criminal proceeds each year, because it is largely low-risk and high-reward. Like corruption, IWT Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
In November 2014, the then premier of Gauteng David Makhura told an anti-corruption summit convened by his government in Midrand, Johannesburg, of plans to develop an ethics management strategy across all departments of the province. This was to build a corruption-free administration that values ethics and promotes an honest government. Underpinning such a strategy would Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
Image: AAACOA South Africa currently chairs the Botswana-based Association of Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Commonwealth Africa (AAACOA). The country, in the person of Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Adv. Andy Mothibi, recently assumed the chairperson’s seat from Ghana and will keep it throughout the 2025-2026 term. The handover took place during the closing session Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
Image: Voice of America Global freedom of information watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) released its 2025 World Press Freedom Index (WPFI) on 2 May 2025, and the picture it paints is not a pretty one. The report describes a marked deterioration of press freedom around the world, with violations such as physical attacks, restricted public Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
Thirty-two years ago, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 May as an international day for press freedom, under the custodianship of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). Since then, says Unesco director-general Audrey Azoulay, a lot has changed – including the way the information universe works. The theme of this year’s World Press Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
South Africa is not alone in striving to address public sector corruption, which has been allowed to flourish over centuries of governance. Countries all over the world – yes, even those at the top of the Corruption Perceptions Index – struggle with the relentless tide of bribery, malfeasance, extortion, and more, that is sweeping over Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Leadership (Cogta) is reviewing the 1998 White Paper on Local Government (WPLG) to evaluate its impact, tackle challenges, and align local governance with modern realities. Accordingly, the department invites the public, civil society, public institutions, interested stakeholders, and all three spheres of government to provide comments towards the Read more >