INVESTIGATION

MSAA: An Act in good faith, but will it work?

President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the long-awaited Municipal Systems Amendment Act (MSAA) into law on 19 August – an important legislative change in the administrative management of local government. The Act seeks to regularise the appointment and performance of municipal managers and the decision-makers around them to ensure cleaner local administrations.   But while political agendas Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Determined silence from Karoo Hoogland on matter of municipal manager

Image: Morné van Rooyen By Kwazi Dlamini One hundred days after the local government elections, there seems to be no end in sight to the goings-on at the Karoo Hoogland municipality – specifically, regarding the allegedly irregular appointment of its municipal manager. The Northern Cape municipality has remained mum about the appointment of Jan Fortuin, Read more >

INVESTIGATION

The rot in the Public Service Commission, part 2: What’s next?

By Moepeng Talane The Public Service Commission (PSC) may have gotten rid of the main players in a nepotism scandal that rocked the institution early in 2020, leading to the dismissal of its director-general (DG), but the body is far from clearing itself of the stigma of a hithertofore largely unknown culture of autocracy and bad governance that has plagued it for years.   This is according to a whistle-blower who spoke to Corruption Watch on condition of Read more >

INVESTIGATION

The rot in the Public Service Commission: part one

By Moepeng Talane In a recent newsletter distributed by his office, President Cyril Ramaphosa mentioned the differences between honest and dishonest public servants, claiming that although the public service has become known over some years more for dishonest conduct, there is still hope for restoring its image and confidence in its mandate.   He was commemorating the beginning of public service month, observed officially in September very Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Mpumalanga poultry project a disturbing echo of failed Vrede Dairy

By Kwazi DlaminiFirst published on Maverick Citizen A state-funded poultry farming project in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga, meant to help develop the local economy, is embroiled in financial distress and factional battles, allegedly caused by public officials meant to manage it. The matter has since reached the courts.   The KwaMhlanga Poultry Project (KPP) is mired in allegations Read more >