Frequently asked questions
We have compiled a list of frequently asked questions that will help you to better understand how Corruption Watch works, what it does, and who does it.
About Corruption Watch
Who is Corruption Watch and what are you guys doing?
Corruption Watch is a non-governmental organisation with a surfeit of determination and heart – if not always physical resources. Our work encompasses a range of activities, but all of it is driven by the reports that come to us, submitted by ordinary people who have encountered corruption in their lives and have decided to do something positive about it.
Who is in charge of Corruption Watch?
As an NGO, Corruption Watch is overseen by a board of directors, none of whom – except for the executive director – are involved in the day-to-day running of the organisation. The board supervises Corruption Watch’s activities, helps ensure we fulfil our mandate and is financially sound and well-run. It meets every three months to review operations and developments, and confirm that Corruption Watch is on track.
If the board is not involved in the day-to-day running of Corruption Watch, who is?
The operational staff is made up of non-partisan admin staff, journalists and investigators, lawyers, researchers and data specialists. We’re based in Johannesburg, and are just over 20 members in total.
How do you define corruption?
We define corruption as the abuse of entrusted office for private gain. However, it’s important to note that ours is not the only definition – some are broad, and others are quite specific. For instance, here are a few definitions of corruption:
- Oxford Dictionary: dishonest or fraudulent conduct by those in power, typically involving bribery;
- Cambridge Dictionary: illegal, bad, or dishonest behaviour, especially by people in positions of power;
- Business Dictionary: Wrongdoing on the part of an authority or powerful party through means that are illegitimate, immoral, or incompatible with ethical standards. Corruption often results from patronage and is associated with bribery;
- World Bank: the abuse of public office for private gain;
- Transparency International: corruption is the abuse of entrusted power for private gain. It hurts everyone who depends on the integrity of people in a position of authority.
This last point is very similar to how Corruption Watch defines corruption. Some of the other definitions don’t specify if the corruption is taking part in the private or public sector, but we focus on the abuse of both private and public office and resources.
Our definition, in fact, applies equally to both sectors.
Reporting corruption
How do I make a report?
You have a number of options –
- You can go to our website and submit the report in our online form.
- You can phone our call centre on 0800 023 456 and speak to a trained operator.
- You can send a message via our WhatsApp number 072 013 5569.
- You can SMS “CALLME” TO 44 666 and we will phone you back.
- You can phone our office and speak to someone from the reports management team.
- You can visit our office and speak to someone from the reports management team.
- You can send us an email at info@corruptionwatch.org.za.
- You can contact us on our community platform Corruption Watch Connected.
How do you get reports?
Our reports are logged through the online form on our website, or via SMS, through our call centre on 0800 023 456, our online community, various social media, our Mxit app, or via email or traditional post. We are also happy to take reports from people who visit our offices in person to report an incident.
How many reports do you get?
From our launch in January 2012 to the end of 2016, we have received an average of 11 reports a day. Of these reports, 61% correspond with our definition of corruption. That works out to 152 confirmed reports of corruption for every month, or five reports for every day of those five years!
What happens to the reports that you get?
Every week a multi-disciplinary team at Corruption Watch decides what action needs to be taken for each corruption report. The possibilities include:
- Adding the report to a number of similar reports on a topic which we are campaigning for. For example, we group reports of immigration irregularities under our refugee campaign, Project Lokisa, which has been running in Home Affairs centres for some months now.
- Publishing the report on our website so that other people who have knowledge of similar incidents can read it and be encouraged to report further.
- Using the incident as the basis for a news story or research report, which is published on our website.
- Referring the incident to a journalist to expose the incident on our website or in the media.
- Referring the incident to a government authority for investigation (such as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate or Public Protector).
- Asking for more information from the person who reported the incident to us.
- Starting an investigation.
- Drawing up comprehensive advocacy documents, containing details of problem areas, their impact, and our recommendations, to present to government departments or authorities for their further action.
- Taking some kind of legal or political action in respect of the incident reported – for example, writing letters to the relevant authority, making a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application.
Will you investigate my report?
It is a fact that we can’t investigate every report that we get. The reason for this is that we simply don’t have the resources, as we are a small NGO dependent on funding, and our function is primarily that of educating, advocating and lobbying.
Before we can proceed with a report we have to be sure that it is in alignment with our definition of corruption and therefore falls within our mandate to act upon – if it’s not corruption we won’t be able to address it. We discuss all our received corruption reports thoroughly before deciding how to allocate them further. To make up for the fact that we can’t investigate every report, we investigate those reports that we feel will have the greatest positive impact on the fight against corruption.
If we are unable to investigate your report we will refer it to another organisation or government agency who will be able to take further action. Some of these bodies may be found on our Who else can help page.
Why won’t you investigate my report?
If we don’t investigate it will usually be for one of three main reasons:
- Your report may not be about corruption, but rather about theft, a scam, or another illegal activity.
- Your report may not correspond with our definition of corruption and would not be classed as corruption in our reports management system.
- We may not have the capacity to investigate the report at that moment.
It may also be that you have not given us enough information, and because you have not provided us with contact details we are unable to talk to you.
Wherever possible we will refer your report to another organisation or government body that can help.
Why don’t you investigate all cases, and how do you choose the ones you do investigate?
Because of the limited capacity of the legal and investigations team, investigative matters are screened and accepted on a stringent basis, taking into account a number of factors, including the prospects of successful investigation and intervention, based on information provided and the nature of the matter. Decisions to engage in strategic impact litigation are likewise subject to much deliberation and are conditional on a number of factors, including the merits of the matter and the impact it would have.
Investigations or litigation are often linked to particular campaigns or focus areas, such as a campaign to support the PP or a focus on improving the criminal justice system.
In addition, we consider the length of time which has passed, as it may impact on administrative and criminal law remedies which may be available depending on the nature of the case. The length of time also impacts on the type of information which could be obtained for the further investigation of matters – often people close to the matter have moved jobs or no longer have information relating to the matter.
Why should I report to you, if you are not going to investigate?
All of our work is based on the reports we receive, and your report will help us in many ways. We need to know where corruption is happening, what forms it is taking, and who is doing it. If we don’t know these things we will not be able to identify trends in corruption, figure out where the corruption hotspots are, launch campaigns that address specific issues, or enter into dialogue with government to work with them on fighting corruption.
We will not be able to draw up advocacy documents, authoritatively telling government – with the weight of actual evidence and not mere hearsay behind us – what is happening in their departments and recommending ways to fix the problems. We will not be able to make representations to Parliament on loopholes in and amendments to laws that affect you. We will not be able to tell your story in the media. We will not be able to work with your community or empower you, through our outreach activities and educational documents, to recognise and fight corruption in your schools and places of work.
So even if we don’t investigate your report, it may still help us to address corruption in your community, municipality or region, and therefore you will ultimately reap the reward of taking a stand.
What happens to reports that are not investigated?
All reports we receive are recorded by our data managers and entered into our online case management system.
We acknowledge receipt if the complainant has provided us with contact details.
At a weekly meeting of the legal, investigations and media teams, reports are analysed, debated and then assigned to an appropriate division. In order for a report to be acted on, it needs to meet certain criteria – this includes, first and foremost, corresponding with our definition of corruption. If we can’t investigate s report, we can use it in a number of other ways that help our work:
- Adding the report to a number of similar reports which we are campaigning on. For example, we group reports of housing irregularities under our housing campaign.
- Publishing the report on our website so that other people who have knowledge of similar incidents can read it and report further.
- Using the incident as the basis for a news story or research report, which is published on our website.
- Referring the incident to a journalist to expose the incident on our website or in the media.
- Asking for more information from the person who reported the incident to us.
- Referring the incident to a government authority for investigation (such as the Independent Police Investigative Directorate or Public Protector).
- Taking some kind of legal or political action in respect of the incident reported – for example, writing letters to the relevant authority, making a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application, or taking part in public participation processes initiated by government.
Who else can help?
There are other organisations that are able to deal with corruption-related queries and complaints. We have compiled an extensive list of these organisations and bodies that will help you with a corruption or fraud problem.
If you need legal help, we have also listed some organisations and university legal clinics that can help. If none of these organisations can help you and your query is related to a human rights violation, contact the Black Sash.
Visit our Who else can help page.
How to join us
How can I support Corruption Watch?
You can do this in several ways:
- Follow our work via the website and social media.
- Sign up for our newsletter.
- Come and meet us when we are out and about, at community outreach events, youth engagements, schools in your area, fun activations, or public mobilisation events such as marches. You can even visit us at our office!
- Make a commitment to resist getting involved in any form of corruption. Urge everyone you know to do the same.
- Report to us if you are concerned about someone you know who is possibly engaging in corruption, or encourage your friends and family to report their concerns to us.
- Educate yourself about corruption, what it looks like, and how you can tackle it.
- Educate yourself about your rights as a citizen so that you can stand up for yourself if a corrupt police officer interferes with you, or ask with confidence to know more about how your child’s school is run.
Download our Know Your Rights card.
Download our SGB handbook. - Educate yourself about your rights as a whistleblower.
Download our whistleblowers’ handbook.
How can I join your campaigns?
We welcome your participation! We will always inform our readers and supporters about our current and upcoming campaigns, so that you know what we’re focused on and can join in.
How can I join the Corruption Watch team?
The Corruption Watch team is small, but dedicated. Our people are excited about the work they do, and despite the challenges, we’re proud that we’re helping to take South Africa forward. Pop in regularly to our careers page to see if there are any vacancies. We will also advertise any openings in our newsletter.