GIFT GIVING – a cultural practice in many societies, by which people offer presents and favours in various circumstances according to local customs. Problems arise when gift giving to and by public officials contradicts the principles of impartiality, professionalism, and meritocracy. In exchange for a gift, the official is expected to show preferential treatment to Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
Glossary of corruption-related terms Do you know your baksheesh from your bribery? Your cronyism from your collusion? Read our evolving glossary of terms relating to corruption to find out what they all mean. Sources:U4 Anti-Corruption Resource CentreTransparency International A A LOOTA CONTINUA ABUSE OF POWER / OFFICE / RESOURCES / FUNCTION ACCESS TO INFORMATION ACCOUNTABILITY Read more >
UNCATEGORISED
FACILITATION PAYMENTS – these are bribes, also called facilitating, speed or grease payments. They’re made to secure or expedite the performance of a routine or necessary action to which the payer actually has legal or other entitlement. FAKELAKI – this Greek term is close to the notion of ‘tip’ in meaning, but at the same Read more >
UNCATEGORISED
EMBEZZLEMENT – when a person holding office in an institution, organisation or company dishonestly and illegally appropriates, uses or traffics the funds and goods they have been entrusted with for personal enrichment or other activities. ENHANCED DUE DILIGENCE – this refers to refer to Know Your Customer money laundering measures that include validation and documentation Read more >
UNCATEGORISED
DEBARMENT – a company is debarred by a government or multilateral agency when it is formally prohibited from tendering for projects that the government or agency is funding (or supporting the funding for). This happens if, after enquiry and examination, that company is adjudged to have been involved in the use of corruption to secure Read more >
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CAPITAL FLIGHT – this is money that shifts out of a country, whether legally or illegally. Illegal capital flight is intended to disappear from any record in the country of origin. Earnings on the stock of illegal flight capital outside of a country do not normally return to the country of origin. Illegal flight capital Read more >
UNCATEGORISED
BAKSHEESH [backsheesh, bakshis] – an Arabic term for a relatively small amount of money given to a beggar or for services rendered (as to a waiter): alms, tips, gratuity, pourboire. Where the amount of baksheesh is inflated or demands for it are illegitimate, baksheesh is synonymous with bribe or grease money. BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP – a Read more >
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A LOOTA CONTINUA – variation of the phrase A luta continua – the struggle continues. The original was the rallying cry of the Frelimo movement in Mozambique’s civil war of the 1960s-1970s and has since become popular with activist organisations. The variation came to light during the Covid-19 lockdown in South Africa and wryly refers Read more >
UNCATEGORISED
Corruption Watch (CW) marks 10 years of activism in 2022. Since the day the organisation opened its doors – on 26 January 2012 – it has taken guidance from the reports of corruption that have come in at the rate of thousands every year. This has allowed it to adapt to the fluctuating situation in Read more >