Whistle-blower ousted while accused principal remains

When wrong-doers are protected, whistle-blowers are often the ones who end up being punished, while the culprit smugly carries on with their shenanigans. So it was in the case of the misbehaving principal vs the school governing body (SGB) of Walter Sisulu Primary School in Olivenhoutbosch, Centurion. Gauteng Education MEC Payaza Lesufi went on national Read more >

Investigation grinds to halt as implicated parties point fingers

By Kwazi Dlamini When Corruption Watch undertakes an investigation, we do so because we deem the case to be in the public interest, and one that could have a significant impact. However, in cases when, for instance, access to important information is withheld, our chances of successfully resolving the matter are diminished. In an e-mail Read more >

CW investigations: often more downs than ups

An investigation is only as successful as each of the components that contribute to it. When Corruption Watch undertakes an investigation, we of necessity depend on the people with whom we interact to co-operate and furnish us with the information we need, so that we can come to a solid conclusion. Often this is not Read more >

Money mismanagement means big loss for school

The Gauteng Department of Education is investigating allegations of mismanagement of funds at a Soweto school dating back over several years. A series of eyebrow-raising incidents at Firethorn Primary School in Klipspruit – which include the fraudulent cashing of cheques – prompted a member of the school’s governing body (SGB) to lodge a complaint with Read more >

Still waiting for promised RDP houses, nine years later

By Thembela Ntongana First published on GroundUp Nine years ago, families moved from Ezinkomeni to nearby Unit P in Mdantsane, East London’s largest township. They did so on the understanding that RDP houses would be ready for them in six months. Today, they are still living in container homes. Members of the 27 families say Read more >

“No-fee” school charges parents R207 a year

By Julia Chaskalson First published on GroundUp Umtapho High School is a no-fee school in the north of Durban that forces parents to pay fees every year. The fees charged to parents are R160 for maintenance, R35 for a new student card and R12 per registration form for each child each year. Parents say the Read more >

The no-fee school which forced parents to pay

Text and photos by Julia Chaskalson First published on GroundUp NOTE: This investigation was initiated by Corruption Watch and taken forward as a joint exercise between Corruption Watch and GroundUp.   Mpumelelo Primary School in Midrand, Gauteng, is a no-fee school. But in 2007, whistleblowers approached the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) to report that Read more >

CW exposes widespread corruption at Home Affairs

For the past two years Corruption Watch, with a number of partners, has been investigating corruption in the immigration section of the Home Affairs department. Today we released our report, titled Project Lokisa: Asylum at a Price, at a gathering outside the Marabastad refugee reception office, and the picture it paints is disturbing.     We Read more >