CW’s pocket guide to understanding local government

Local government elections are set to take place on 1 November 2021. These happen every five years, and it is important that citizens cast their vote to ensure they get the best representatives. However, it is equally important that all citizens have a good understanding of the structures and functions of local government, and to Read more >

Int’l Day for Universal Access to Information: the right to know

 “Access to reliable information saves lives. Misinformation and rumours can cost them.”   This is the message from Unesco director-general Audrey Azoulay today, on the International Day for Universal Access to Information, proclaimed at the Unesco general conference in 2015 and celebrated annually on 28 September.   This simple lesson is one we have learnt to Read more >

New survey shows decreasing public trust in govt anti-corruption efforts

A new report released on 15 September by research network Afrobarometer reveals that South Africans’ perceptions of the pervasiveness of corruption in the country have not improved. Afrobarometer Dispatch No. 476 (AD476) also shows respondents’ belief that high percentages of elected officials and civil servants are involved in corrupt activities. Corruption has been a major Read more >

Take our whistle-blower perceptions survey

Corruption Watch is a non-profit organisation launched in 2012. We rely on the public to report incidents of corruption to us and we use this information to fight corruption in South Africa and hold our leaders accountable. Over the last nine years, we have received over 30 000 whistle-blower complaints. In order to improve our Read more >

Transparency is the antidote to looting of mining communities’ benefits

By Mashudu MasuthaFirst published on Business Day Development in mining-affected communities is crippled by a lack of transparency in the management and administration of benefits. Communities all over Africa live on land brimming with mineral wealth but are cheated out of benefits owed to them because of opacity, exclusion and lack of accountability in the Read more >