Dear Corruption Watch, I heard that the auditor-general recently released a report on the annual audit of local government entities. Why do we have these audits and what can the report tell us about corruption in our municipalities? Is there any good news? Hoping Dear Hoping The annual financial audits of local government entities play Read more >
DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH
Dear Corruption Watch, A law firm was appointed to "clear the name" of Hlaudi Motsoeneng before he was made COO of the SABC. Surely it takes a court, not a law firm, to set aside findings made by the public protector? Would his appointment not therefore be unlawful? Inquiring Mind Dear Inquiring Mind, The public Read more >
OPINIONS
By Kabelo Sedupane The resignation of IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula reveals that there are consequences to the flouting of procurement rules and unethical conduct – however, the question remains as to whether the unauthorised expenditure of public funds should necessitate further investigations and harsher sanctions. Within a culture of rampant abuse of public funds, the Read more >
DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH
Dear Corruption Watch, Journalists use the word "alleged" a lot – sometimes correctly, other times ensuring that reporters are pawns in a vicious game. Does someone involved in corruption have to be formally charged before one may say allegations have been made? Seeking Clarity Dear Seeking Let us start by confirming the importance of the Read more >
DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH
Dear Corruption Watch, In his testimony before the Seriti Commission on the arms deal, former president Mbeki suggested that a ‘facilitation commission’ is not a bribe. What is the legal distinction? Yours Concerned Middle-Man Dear Concerned Middle-Man Former president Mbeki's testimony decidedly records that the payment of a commission, in and of itself, is not Read more >
DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH
Dear Corruption Watch In my organisation, I am responsible for the monitoring of corruption, fraud and wasteful expenditure. However, I have been largely sidelined from fulfilling this function and so am in effect being prevented from doing my job by being given menial work to do instead. What can I do? Yours Silenced Whistle Dear Read more >
OPINIONS
By Candice Bailey The latest high-profile money laundering case implicating Gauteng ANC chief whip Brian Hlongwa tells the tale of a plush life filled with tender favours for mansions, fully paid overseas holidays and personal helicopter trips across Johannesburg’s suburbs. But woven into the intricate reams of court papers detailing how the former Gauteng Health Read more >
DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH
Dear Corruption Watch The National Prosecuting Authority does not appear to have the appetite to prosecute cases involving corruption on the part of state officials, or committed by those in the private sector who are politically connected. Is it possible for a private citizen like me, or a civil society organisation like Corruption Watch, to Read more >
DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH
Dear Corruption Watch, The Special Investigating Unit probe into expenditure around Nkandla has finally been submitted to President Zuma, after a delay. How do we ensure the president co-operates with the very probe he ordered and implements its recommendations? Yours faithfully, Seeking Improved Understanding Dear Seeking, There are two important things to remember about the Special Read more >