OPINIONS

Mbete does the right thing, putting SA’s interests first

First published on Business Day Speaker Baleka Mbete has done exactly the right thing by allowing a secret ballot in the parliamentary vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma. Her reasoning clearly echoes the reasoning set out by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. It weighs and takes into account both sides of the argument: the Read more >

OPINIONS

Africa is not poor, we are stealing its wealth

By Nick Dearden First published on Al Jazeera Africa is poor, but we can try to help its people. It’s a simple statement, repeated through a thousand images, newspaper stories and charity appeals each year, so that it takes on the weight of truth. When we read it, we reinforce assumptions and stories about Africa Read more >

OPINIONS

Time for govts to accept that civil society is not the enemy

By Cathal Gilbert First published on Al Jazeera There is a growing list of critical problems in the G20’s inbox, namely a faltering global economy, terrorist threats in a majority of G20 member states, and a patched-up climate change agreement. Solving these problems will take more than 20 heads of state and their economic ministers. Read more >

LITIGATION

Full FIC amendment act needed to catch the corrupt

By Leanne Govindsamy First published in Business Day State capture does not happen because of the dodgy dealings of one person or even a handful of people. It happens because hundreds of people along the line — in the public and private sectors — have enabled it. They may have failed to conduct requisite due Read more >

OPINIONS

Corruption is a killer of the innocent

By Ronald Menoe First published in City Press Often the link between corruption and death is hard to trace. How do you link a car accident to a corrupt traffic cop soliciting a bribe from a drunk driver, or the death of a malnourished child to a corrupt school official siphoning funds from a school’s Read more >

OPINIONS

Navigating our democracy in a bid to defeat corruption

By Sabeehah Motala In 1994, South Africans universally experienced the first promise of freedom – the right to vote. For the first time, all participated in democracy by selecting their preferred party to govern. Now, 23 years later, we see a situation where our leaders seem to be able to loot state coffers without fear and it’s Read more >

OPINIONS

The descent of Jacob Zuma in 31 steps and counting

By Kavisha Pillay and Mark Hayward First published on Daily Maverick Last week, the Constitutional Court heard arguments that Parliament should either allow for, or be ordered to conduct, a secret ballot when MPs are voting in a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma. The hearing came after a weekend of storms covered Read more >

OPINIONS

Secret ballot refusal would be obstruction in Parly

By David Lewis First published in Daily Maverick Whistle-blowing is a critical ingredient in tackling corruption. Corrupt conduct is, in most cases, the outcome of covert collusion between a public authority or individual, on the one hand, and a private institution or individual, on the other. Unlike house robbery or assault, there is no victim Read more >

OPINIONS

The economics of corruption

By Zola Valashiya Remember that high school mantra “Crime doesn’t pay” that was constantly drummed into us growing up? Well, here’s the thing – crime is paying, and it is paying big. So much has happened in South Africa lately I cannot emotionally keep up. From grand airport heists to dubious cabinet reshuffles, and a Read more >