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SA faces ‘failed state status’ over graft, warns SC

South Africa is staring “failed state status” in the face and urgent steps are needed to address the scourge of corruption.

This is the view of Paul Hoffman, SC, from the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa, who has told the Cape Town Press Club that Parliament is simply rearranging the deckchairs on a sinking Titanic by trying to keep the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – the Hawks – in the SAPS.

Read the full article here.

SIU uncovers massive corruption in E Cape health department

A Special Investigation Unit probe into the Eastern Cape health department has revealed corruption involving R200-million and thousands of officials.

The investigation, launched in December, found that 15 900 department officials were illegally receiving child support grants totalling R58-million per year, the Daily Dispatch Online reported on Tuesday.

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Zimbabwe: South Africa Urged to Deal With 'Chaos' At Local Border

South Africa has been urged to deal with the situation at its border with Zimbabwe, which an activist has described as 'chaos'.

There are ongoing reports of victimisation and violence at the border where thousands of Zimbabweans cross between the two countries every week. While many of the crossings are legal, others continue to be done illegally, with Zimbabweans still risking jumping the border into South Africa to flee the situation back home.

Read the full article here.

Corruption affects public trust

Reported acts of corruption have damaged trust in public servants, acting Public Service and Administration Minister Mildred Oliphant conceded on Tuesday.

“There has been palpable frustration regarding the delayed response by departments in combating and preventing corruption,” she told the National Assembly during debate on her budget vote.

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SA needs a new corruption-buster – analyst

CAPE TOWN – First it was the Scorpions. Then they were replaced by the Hawks. Now a new institution has been suggested, called ‘The Eagles.

Paul Hoffman of the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa has proposed that a new independent corruption-cracking unit should be set up to deal with the rolling corruption in the country.

He says that while the Directorate of Priority Crime Investigation – The Hawks – has its place, corruption needs its own independent, Chapter 9 institution that would deal specifically with corruption cases.

Read the full article here.

Municipality rejects claims of tap corruption

The Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipality has poured cold water on claims by Nooitgedacht villagers that the Bulk Water Supply project in the area was all about corruption.

"The project was one of five advertised in local and national newspapers and the closing date was on September 16.

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E-toll company denies arms deal involvement

The company's executive board member Andre Laux denied that it had improper dealings with arms manufacturing company, SAAB — which admitted in June to paying bribes of more than R24 million to ensure it was picked to supply Gripen jets to South Africa in the arms deal.

"We firmly reject any speculation linking Kapsch TrafficCom and the arms deals. We believe this allegation is the result of a simple misinterpretation of information regarding one of our subsidiary companies," he said in a statement on Saturday.

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Stop politicising corruption: Madonsela

Public Protector Thuli Madonsela believes South Africans should stop politicising public sector corruption and take responsibility for it, her office said on Saturday.

T“People see corruption as a political disease, like only politicians are corrupt,” she said at a Diakonia Council of Churches function in Durban on Friday night.

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Probe into claims of housing corruption

The Housing Development Agency is to launch an investigation into allegations of corruption at the Temporary Residential Area 5 in Delft where residents allege homes are being sold for as little as R4 000.

This comes after residents from the area and other parts of Cape Town alleged that some members of the TRA 5 steering committee had been illegally selling houses to individuals.

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Address issues before they become problems – judge

THE constitution is not under any immediate threat, but this could change if problems such as corruption, poverty and unemployment are not dealt with, former chief justice Arthur Chaskalson says.

“The danger to the constitution lies with poverty, corruption and service delivery. It is not an easy task, but it should be addressed.

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Date set for Cape cop's corruption trial

Cape Town – A policeman facing fraud and corruption charges will go on trial in July in the Bellville Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Cape Town.

Thuso Mapheele allegedly issued police clearance certificates for two vehicles without first examining them.

Read the full article here.

Cwele talks tough on corruption

The Ministry of State Security will not hesitate to take action on those in its ranks found to be involved in fraud and corruption, Minister Siyabonga Cwele has warned.

Briefing the media ahead of his Budget Vote in Parliament on Thursday, Cwele said the fight against fraud and corruption remained one of his ministry’s priorities.

“This is a cancer that steals from the most vulnerable people in our society,” the minister noted.

Read the full article here.

Excerpt
South Africa is staring “failed state status” in the face and urgent steps are needed to address the scourge of corruption.

This is the view of Paul Hoffman, SC, from the Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa, who has told the Cape Town Press Club that Parliament is simply rearranging the deckchairs on a sinking Titanic by trying to keep the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation – the Hawks – in the SAPS.