Act protects workplace whistleblowers

Dear Corruption Watch, as an employee, I want to blow the whistle on something going on, but I’ve signed an employment contract that has provisions about confidentiality of information obtained during the scope of my work. I’m also told there are legislative provisions that make it a criminal offence to disclose information. Does the whistleblowers Read more >

South Africans need to update their activism

By David Lewis First published in Daily Maverick Ranjeni Munusamy poses a pertinent question when she asks “Is South Africa losing its activism mojo?”. And, cited in the same article, Zwelinzima Vavi answers this in the affirmative when he says: “South Africans have become resigned. They are complaining everywhere but there is no real activism. Read more >

Checks and balances mainly after the fact

Dear Corruption Watch, I am concerned that many high-profile and important positions in South Africa made by the president are compromised from the start, like the national prosecutions head. What alternatives to presidential appointment are there in South Africa and other countries? Sick of Lapdogs Dear Sick of Lapdogs, Your concerns regarding presidential appointments are Read more >

‘Cleared’ Jiba faces potential obstacles

Dear Corruption Watch, the national director of public prosecutions recently announced that not only have charges of fraud and perjury against his deputy, Nomgcobo Jiba, been withdrawn, but she’s been promoted! How can she have a future at the NPA? Concerned Crime Fighter Dear Concerned Crime Fighter, Jiba’s integrity was called into question in the Read more >

67 reasons to fight corruption

With the seventh international Mandela Day just past, it’s clear that July is observed by many people around the world as an opportunity to serve the people around them and do good in their communities for at least 67 minutes – one for each year Mandela devoted to public service. In this article, first published Read more >

Migrants have rights in refugee process

Dear Corruption Watch, So many immigrants seeking refuge, opportunity and a future in South Africa are greeted with contempt and “xenophobia” that it’s a wonder we still have so many applications for asylum. But I’m hearing that in addition to such indignities, refugees must pay bribes to become documented aliens. Don’t our laws protecting people’s Read more >

Bad governance in state enterprises is not a good story

Dear Corruption Watch, There seems to be a pattern in the turmoil erupting in our state-owned enterprises between boards and ministers. Inevitably this leads to corruption allegations against one or more of the parties and to allegations of interference from the government in these enterprises. What is the responsibility of each of these actors in Read more >

Is blood always thicker than water?

Dear Corruption Watch: The head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate [in Gauteng] has been suspended while being investigated for nepotism. And this is the watchdog for misbehaving police personnel! But I wonder: we are all told of the value of social solidarity, of community members assisting each other to get ahead. Why, then, does Read more >

Time the corrupt got their marching orders

By David Lewis A diverse grouping of civil society organisations has called on the public to protest against escalating corruption by joining a picket in front of Parliament on 7 August and a march on the Union Buildings on 19 August. There are three questions that might be addressed to those calling on the public Read more >