Corruption Watch

Webinar: The lives and trials of whistle-blowers in South Africa
2021-10-24 18:00 - 19:00 (Africa/Johannesburg)
The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, in partnership with Maverick Citizen, presents a series of webinars that will explore the state of whistle-blowing in South Africa.

The murder of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran is a gruesome reminder of the dangers faced by those who risk their lives and livelihoods in order to expose corruption in South Africa. It is a moment to pause and assess our country’s efforts to protect whistle-blowers – who play a critical role in our pursuit for a corruption-free society.

In this webinar, Mark Heywood will be in conversation with Cynthia Stimpel, who exposed rampant corruption at South African Airways, and Phumla Williams, whose testimony at the Zondo Commission revealed the capture of the Government Communication & Information System (GCIS).

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Engaging with the ANC, DA and EFF on their commitments to reduce local government corruption
2021-10-15 11:00 - 12:00
In the lead-up to local government elections, join Corruption Watch as we put political parties in the hot seat and engage them on their proposals to eradicate corruption in municipalities.

Moderator:

Melusi Ncala – Corruption Watch

Guests:

Cilliers Brink – Democratic Alliance Khanya Ceza – Economic Freedom FightersBafuze Sicelo Yabo – African National Congress

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Webinar: Unpacking the Role of the Information Regulator in relation to PAIA
2021-09-28 14:00 - 15:30
On 30 June 2021, the Information Regulator took over the regulatory mandate functions relating to the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) from the South African Human Rights Commission. It is now established as the sole functionary, apart from the courts, that may consider complaints against decisions concerning requests for access to records of public or private bodies made in terms of PAIA. This development adds an additional level of recourse for requesters which – it is hoped – will improve rates of fulfilment of information requests.

Join the Access to Information Network on International Day for Universal Access to Information to listen to members of the Information Regulator unpack this new role and what it means for individuals and public interest organisations exercising their right of access to information through PAIA.

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Unpacking whistle-blowing in South Africa
2021-09-19 18:00 - 19:00
The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum, in partnership with Maverick Citizen, presents a series of webinars that will explore the state of whistle-blowing in South Africa.

The murder of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran is a gruesome reminder of the dangers faced by those who risk their lives and livelihoods in order to expose corruption in South Africa. It is a moment to pause and assess our country’s efforts to protect whistle-blowers – who play a critical role in our pursuit for a corruption-free society.

In this introductory webinar, join Prof Thuli Madonsela, Adv. Andy Mothibi and Willie Hofmeyr, to unpack key challenges confronting whistle-blowers, as well as potential solutions to ensure a safer, more conducive environment.

NOTE: the webinar will begin at 6pm SAST.

SPEAKERS:

Prof. Thuli MadonselaAdv. Andy MothibiWillie Hofmeyr

MODERATOR:

Mark Heywood

REGISTER HERE

Discussion: Developing African Anti-Corruption Tools
2021-09-15 10:00 - 11:30
This session of #DIYAfrica will reflect on the development of anti-corruption tools and the challenges experienced by developers and activists in developing impactful tools for citizens. The session will bring to light some strategies to developing effective anti-corruption tools on the continent. #DIYAfrica is presented by the Civic Tech Innovation Forum and Jamfest.

Session partners: CTIN and Corruption Watch

Moderator:

Jimmy Maliseni: Senior Information and Advocacy Officer, Alliance for Community Action Zambia

Panellists:

Kavisha Pillay: Veza – enhancing transparency and promoting accountability in policing Maurice Nyambe: Executive Director, Transparency International Zambia Cherese Thakur: Advocacy Coordinator, amaBhungane Centre for Investigative Journalism

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Webinar: The use of technology in policing, safety and security
2021-08-20 11:00 - 12:00
Technological advances have the potential of improving policing, as well as enhancing safety and security in our communities. In this webinar, we will explore tech solutions developed by Corruption Watch and Memeza, an organisation specialising in tech community safety solutions. We will also gain valuable insight from the Civil Secretariat for Police as to how technology is currently being used to address police corruption and service issues.

Speakers:

Elmarie Pereira – MemezaMothupi Mafologela – Civilian Secretariat of Police

Moderator:

Melusi Ncala – Corruption Watch

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Active citizenship and accountability in local government
2021-08-13 11:00 - 12:00
Communities are often looking for avenues to hold municipalities accountable for failing to deliver services. Recently, the Unemployed People’s Movement in Makhanda Municipality succeeded in having their municipality dissolved.

Join this webinar to understand the insights of what led to the dissolution of Makhanda Municipality, as well as to unpack ways in which communities can hold local government structures to account.

SPEAKERS:

Ayanda Kota – Unemployed People’s Movement

Dr Onkgopotse Madumo – University of Pretoria

MODERATOR:

Sabeehah Motala – Corruption Watch

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Launch of CW research report - Improving Transparency and Accountability in the Flow of Benefits to Mining Communities
2021-08-12 11:30 - 12:30
In 2018, CW published its Mining Royalties Research Report that looked at equity benefits and compensation flowing from mining, and whether these were reaching mining-affected communities. It concluded that widespread corruption was evident and that, overall, the communities most affected by mining were not benefiting, but continued to live in conditions of poverty.

We now present part II of that research, a report that strives to understand how best to intervene in shaping the financial and legal mechanisms used to funnel benefits to mining-affected communities.

Join us for a discussion on the victories, lessons and future directions for mining communities.

Speakers:

Professor Sonwabile Mnwana of Fort Hare University

Erica Emdon of Public Interest Practice

JOIN HERE (Microsoft Teams)

Civil society convening on leadership, elected representatives and the unrest in South Africa
2021-07-28 10:00 - 13:00
The Heinrich Boell Foundation, Womxn and Democracy Initiative, Public Service Accountability Monitor, and Parliamentary Monitoring Group invite you to participate in a convening on the current crises in South Africa and reflect on questions of leadership – specifically the role of legislatures and elected representatives leading up to this and beyond.

This convening aims to create a safe space for reflection while at the same time allowing for complex discussions, among a diverse group of people, who don’t all know each other. We understand this is a challenge. It will require that we enter prepared to listen, and mindful of how we exercise our different and relative power in the conversation.

We will allocate time at the beginning of the convening to develop collective strategies to commit to recognise the limits of safety and to respond to the high levels of distress, anger and helplessness that are being articulated by many. Part of this will be reaching consensus on how to document the meeting and share reflections outside the space.

Kindly RSVP by Monday, 26 July 2021. All data requests must be completed by Monday, 26 July 2021.

REGISTER HERE

PLEASE COMPLETE THIS FORM IF YOU REQUIRE DATA TO ATTEND

Webinar: Deferred Prosecution Agreements - a solution to prosecuting backlog?
2021-07-27 12:00 - 13:30
FTI Consulting South Africa and Corruption Watch recently co-authored an article titled Addressing Corruption in South Africa in which we argued, inter alia, that consideration should be given to allowing criminal offenders to self-disclose and subject themselves to administrative penalties to avoid criminal prosecution through the mechanism of deferred prosecution agreements (DPAs).

Join us for a session hosted by Petrus Marais to hear more from experts on the possibility of using DPAs to tackle corruption:

Adv. Hermione Cronje, South African prosecutor and the head of the investigating directorate in the Office of the National Director of Public ProsecutionAdv. Kate Hofmeyr, evidence leader at the Zondo commissionAdv. Gilbert Swats, forensic consultant and former deputy director of public prosecutionsKaram Singh, head of Legal & Investigations at Corruption Watch

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Webinar: Corruption in Uniform - a focus on police brutality
2021-05-07 11:00 - 12:00
Increased public discussion and debate is currently taking place on the state of policing in South Africa. This was brought on by the flagrant abuse of power by police during the Covid-19 national lockdown, violence experienced during the #FeesMustFall campaign, as well as the global spotlight placed on policing by the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Join Corruption Watch’s Melusi Ncala in conversation with Themba Masuku from the African Policing Civilian Oversight Forum, as well as Prof. Jacklyn Cock from Wits University, to discuss issues relating to police brutality in South Africa and the need for a human rights-based approach to policing.

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Webinar: Critical reflections on the Mafereka commission and the Bapo ba Mogale case
2021-04-29 11:00 - 12:30
The North West Government has ignored all calls to release the findings of a commission of inquiry into traditional leadership claims, chaired by Joe Mafereka (Mafereka Commission). The Bapo Ba Mogale Traditional community is directly affected by this lack of transparency, which amounts to clear abuse of power by the North West Government.

Join us as experts and community members unpack this critical topic and analyse the implications, lessons and future direction for Bapo ba Mogale and other mine-affected communities. The webinar will highlight the findings of the Mafereka Commission, discuss the remedies available under these circumstances and encourage a larger participation from various stakeholders to demand transparency and accountability on issues relating to mining royalties.

SPEAKERS:Moray Hathorn – Webber Wentzel (consultant) Joseph Rapanyana – Bapo ba Mogale community memberWilmien Wicomb – Legal Resource Centre

MODERATOR:Matshidiso Dibakwane – Corruption Watch

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Webinar: Understanding local government
2021-04-23 11:00 - 12:00
In 2021, Corruption Watch will embark on a public mobilisation campaign that focuses on corruption at a local government level. With local government elections coming up later in the year, it is vital for people to know how local government should work and what role they can play in holding it to account.

Join Corruption Watch in discussion with the South African Local Government Association, as well as the Dullah Omar Institute, to understand the role of local government and the importance of public oversight.

Speakers:Lance Joel – South African Local Government Association Prof Jaap de Visser – Dullah Omar Institute Moderator:Mzwandile Banjathwa – Corruption Watch

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Webinar: Is Our Future for Sale?
2021-04-06 11:00 - 12:00
EPISODE ONE: The link between youth unemployment and corruption.

Join Corruption Watch, in conversation with representatives from the National Youth Development Agency and the Budget Justice Coalition, to discuss how corruption prevents young people from gaining access to meaningful opportunities.

Speakers:Waseem Cassim (National Youth Development Agency) Dominic Brown (Budget Justice Coalition)

Moderators:Sabeehah Motala + Tawanda Kaseke (Corruption Watch)

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Webinar: The state of transparency of health procurement data in South Africa
2021-03-30 11:00 - 12:00
Corruption Watch presents two reports – a policy brief, and a research study that maps the state of transparency of health procurement data in South Africa. In this webinar, the presenters will provide an overview of the research findings, discuss its implications, and make recommendations to improve the state of health procurement with the aim of increasing funds allocated to public health.

Speakers:Kirsten Pearson – project specialist, Corruption WatchThandi Bhengu – Data scientist, Open Cities LabRichard Gevers – Founder, Open Cities Lab

Moderator:Rebecca Weber – freelance journalist

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Webinar: Covid-19 Vaccines and Human Rights Challenges
2021-03-16 15:00 - 16:00
The one-year ‘unwanted anniversary’ of COVID-19 restrictions

The Dullah Omar Institute is convening a webinar-series marking the one-year ‘unwanted anniversary’ of COVID-19 restrictions.

As part of this initiative, the Applied Constitutional Study Laboratory and the Socio-Economic Rights Project at the Dullah Omar Institute, University of the Western Cape invite you to a webinar on Covid-19 Vaccines and Human Rights Challenges. The webinar hopes to address issues such as accessibility, cost of the vaccines, the categories of people to prioritize, how to ensure equitable distribution, and whether the vaccines should be made compulsory.

Moderator: Gladys Mirugi-Mukundi, Dullah Omar Institute, UWC.

Opening remarks:Dr Tlaleng Mofokeng, UN Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health .

Guest speakers:Alicia Yamin, lecturer at Harvard Law School and Senior Fellow at the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology and Bioethics.Prof Francois Venter, divisional head of Ezintsha at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

When 16 March 2021 from 15h00 to 16h00 (Africa/Johannesburg / UTC200)Where Zoom (virtual meeting)Contact Keathélia Sapto

Please click HERE to register in advance for this meeting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Webinar: What we should know, but don't know, about COVID-19 vaccine procurement and rollout
2021-03-03 11:00 - 12:00
Join us as we discuss the gaps in information shared by the government around the procurement of Covid-19 vaccines. Transparency and regulatory compliance are needed to build public trust in the vaccination programme – and public trust is crucial if the programme is to succeed. There is still much we do not know and much we should know, some details that might be forthcoming, and other information that should already be available.

PRESENTER: Prof Geo Quinot – professor of law, Stellenbosch UniversityRESPONDENT: Dr Allison Anthony – senior lecturer, Faculty of Law, UNISA

MODERATOR: Rebecca Weber – freelance journalist

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Online training - Investigating the health sector: red flags in public procurement and public spending
2021-02-18 16:00
Corruption Watch in collaboration with the Open Contracting Partnership (OCP) is inviting journalists to participate in our training on open contracting as a tool for transparency and accountability in governance. Given the wide-spread corruption in Covid-related procurement that has been identified by the media, this is an appropriate time to discuss greater transparency and accountability in the context of government procurement.

The workshop is aimed at introducing the concept of open contracting and building an understanding of the use of procurement data for anti-corruption, red flag monitoring, and investigative journalism. We also aim to provide guidance on how to use data tools and resources for the analysis of procurement data.

Participants will be walked through an introduction to open contracting, its principles, key concepts, and implementation. We will also cover the contracting process, context, and history of open contracting and the Open Contracting Data Standard, the problems it was developed to address, use cases, and finding the data.

In addition, we will provide training on how to use our red flags methodology to show how you can reference procurement data against a set of over 150 suspicious behaviour indicators, or “red flags” and how this fits into your investigative storytelling.

Please join us as we discuss this important issue, where the media can continue to play its vital role in ensuring accountability for government corruption.

Register here

Launch of the Veza tool for increased police transparency and accountability
2021-02-17 10:00 - 11:30
Corruption Watch invites members of the media to the launch of the Veza Tool. Join the event online on Wednesday, 17 February 2021 at 10h00.

Veza, which, loosely translated, means ‘expose’ or ‘reveal’, is designed to empower communities with mechanisms to combat corruption and break the cycle of impunity in the police service.

The Veza Tool aims to assist activists, researchers, journalists, and the public at large in demanding better and more accountable policing in South Africa.

REGISTER HERE

Webinar: Our future is not for sale!
2020-12-09 13:00 - 14:30
Join Corruption Watch’s Melusi Ncala in conversation with:

Busi Sibeko, economist and researcher (institute for economic justice), andGugu Nonjinge, senior advocacy officer at the centre for the study of violence and reconciliation),

to discuss the findings of the 2020 youth perceptions survey.

Register here

IACD graffiti painting event
2020-12-09 10:00 - 12:00
Follow Corruption Watch on 9 December, International Anti-Corruption Day, for a graffiti event where our artist Mars will paint a mural, live, to support the UN’s IACD theme of #RecoverwithIntegrity. This year’s theme emphasises that an inclusive Covid-19 recovery can only be achieved with integrity and accountability.

To RECOVER with INTEGRITY, we need to stand #UnitedAgainstCorruption.

Artist: Mars

Venue: corner of Empire Road and Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg

Time: 10h00 to 12h00

Virtual workshop: Transforming South Africa's procurement system
2020-12-08 09:00 - 13:00
The United Nations Office of Drug and Crime (UNODC) and the British High Commission South Africa, with the Open Contracting Partnership and Open Ownership, will host a virtual workshop on Transforming Procurement System in South Africa, to be held on 8 December 2020, from 9h00 – 13h00 SAST.

The workshop coincides with International Anti-Corruption Day, and is aimed at bringing together key stakeholders in South Africa to build an understanding of the links between public procurement, open contracting, and beneficial ownership; sharing best practices and resources; and identifying potential opportunities for collaboration to improve transparency and accountability of supply chain management in South Africa.

Highlights of the event will include high-level speakers from the UNODC and Chapter 9 oversight institutions; reflections from academia, media and civil society – including Corruption Watch – and breakout and discussion groups to allow for deeper conversations and development of recommendations.

Register here

Webinar: When Covid-19 and corruption intersect
2020-12-06 18:00
During the Covid-19 pandemic, businesses, individuals and politicians cynically exploited a public health crisis for personal gain.

In the final Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum webinar for 2020, the heads of South Africa’s leading law enforcement agencies will be providing a progress update on Covid-19 corruption-related investigations and prosecutions.

Speakers include Shamila Batohi – National Director of Public Prosecutions, Godfrey Lebeya – Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks), Andy Mothibi – Head of Special Investigating Unit. Moderated by: Mark Heywood – Maverick Citizen

Register here:

https://event.webinarjam.com/register/23/komz6aw

Online Colloquium: Fix Our Democracy
2020-12-05 09:00
The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation invites you to an online colloquium: Fix our democracy – Tackling capture and corruption to prevent state failure.

The programme will see the launch of a report which contains over 100 suggestions by members of the public and civil society organisations on how to fix our democracy.

Outgoing Wits vice chancellor, Prof Adam Habib, will share his reflections on the report.

The programme will also include a panel discussion on the concept of state failure and how can civil society help prevent this, as well as positive strides made in combating corruption in the last year.

Register here:

https://bit.ly/2HGzxY9

Webinar: Open Contracting in Low and Middle-Income Countries: The case of South Africa
2020-12-04 11:00 - 12:30
The Government Transparency Institute and Transparency International Health Initiative invite you to attend the presentation and discussion of our recent report.

The event will begin with South Africa-specific highlights from the report Modelling Reform Strategies for Open Contracting in Low and Middle-Income Countries – evaluating the effectiveness of reforms aimed at introducing open contracting in LMIC settings. The presentation will focus specifically on the reform trajectory and Open Contracting opportunities and challenges in the South African context.

The authors will introduce the report, followed by a structured Q&A and discussion covering topics such as – how does Open Contracting help broader cross-sectoral reforms, and what the key contextual factors should be in designing Open Contracting reforms in South Africa, in order to generate thought-provoking debate on how we can move the dial on procurement transparency.

Date: 4 December 2020Time: 11h00 – 12h30 (SAST)Venue: Zoom

REGISTER HERE

Media advisory: launch of Transparency in Corporate Reporting 2020
2020-12-02 11:00 - 13:00
Members of the media are invited to a webinar launch of the Report: Transparency in Corporate Reporting 2020, taking place on 2 December, hosted by Corruption Watch and the ODI, an independent London-based global think tank, in partnership with the National Business Initiative.

The report evaluates the transparency of corporate reporting by 100 companies operating in South Africa. It assesses the public disclosure practices of these companies based on their anti-corruption programmes, levels of organisational transparency and country-by-country reporting mechanisms.

This is part of Transparency International’s series of reports, Transparency in Corporate Reporting (TRAC), which evaluates disclosure practices of major companies in countries around the world, highlighting how transparency is key to combating corruption and enabling accountability.To mark the release of the report, the three partner organisations will be hosting a webinar to present and discuss its findings and recommendations.

The panel will include:

Nicky Newton-King: former CEO of the JSENonkululeko Nyembezi-Heita: CEO of IchorCoal & Chair of the JSE BoardCas Coovadia: CEO of BUSA

THE DETAILS OF THE WEBINAR ARE AS FOLLOWS:

Date: Wednesday, 2 December 2020Time: 11:00 to 13:00RSVP: Please click here to register for this Zoom event.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Phemelo Khaas:083 763 3472 / phemelok@corruptionwatch.org.za

Webinar: Combating corruption through the EITI - an advocacy agenda for civil society
2020-12-01 09:00
To effectively tackle corruption, countries need to address the factors that make the licensing stage in mining vulnerable to corruption. Following the paper by Transparency International Australia on important lessons for resource-rich countries and advice for EITI MSGs, the Accountable Mining Programme is hosting a webinar for civil society organisations to get an overview of the key findings, learn how civil society organisations are using the paper’s recommendations, and discuss advocacy opportunities.

The webinar is scheduled for 1 December, 9h00 GMT

Click here to register:

https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_A_LWIHFCRxe8kDAx8qiOlA

Webinar: Corruption in the private healthcare sector
2020-11-29 18:00
The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum will host this webinar on Sunday 29 November.

Speakers include Dr Katlego Mothudi – Board of Healthcare Funders, Mapato Ramokgopa – Competition Commission, Dr Sipho Kabane – Council for Medical Schemes. Moderated by: Mark Heywood – Maverick Citizen

Register here: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/18/05ryvc4

Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum - Webinar on NHI
2020-11-15 18:00
The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum will host this webinar on Sunday 15 November.

Speakers include Dr Nicholas Crisp, a public health consultant, and Sasha Stevenson of SECTION27. The webinar is moderated by Mark Heywood of Maverick Citizen.

Register here: https://event.webinarjam.com/register/15/23pyztz

Direct link to the live room https://event.webinarjam.com/go/live/15/23pyztzc7s6sk

Webinar: Measuring Corruption
2020-10-14 17:00 - 18:00
This event is hosted by Mackenzie Presbyterian University, a private university in São Paulo, Brazil.

Join us for a webinar with the topic: Measuring Corruption.

Keynote speaker: Oguzhan Dincer, professor of economics and director of the Institute for Corruption Studies at Illinois University.Moderator: Samuel de Paiva Naves Mamede, professor at MacKenzie Presbyterian University and researcher at the Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity at Columbia University.

When: Wednesday 14 October, 17h00 – 18h00 CAT (11h00 – 12h00 EDT).

Join Zoom meeting at​: https://lnkd.in/dg_W3ut​Meeting ID: 897 4238 6164Password: [REDACTED]
