Groups, NGOs bemoan plans to reopen schools

Corruption Watch The Department of Basic Education’s plans to reopen schools on 1 June 2020 have been met with criticism, with calls for the minister, Angie Motshekga, to reconsider choosing a later date or face a court action. Motshekga, in a press briefing held on Monday, 1 June 2020, said the postponement of the reopening Read more >

Water dept to provide clarity on corruption investigations

By Thato Mahlangu The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) wants the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) to pull up its socks and conclude investigations that relate to fraud and corruption cases. During a committee meeting held in Parliament on Tuesday 26 May 2020, Scopa’s chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said DWS should have dealt speedily Read more >

Government’s not so reliable food-delivery service

By Kwazi DlaminiFirst published in City Press South Africans with the means to do so have been using the tap of a finger for meals to be delivered to their homes, since the country went into Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown level 4 earlier this month. Between technical glitches that hampered said deliveries and complaints over the Read more >

Auditor-General has eye on Covid-19 relief package

The Auditor-General (AGSA) has briefed Parliament on its role during the Covid-19 disaster, and given insight into possible delays in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) audits. Both audit processes are crucial to managing the use of the public purse as they track and identify irregular spending, among others. Read more >

Covid-19 has worsened an already tough situation

Tsietsi Willem Moshebi Lockdown has been an experience that I will never forget, with the coronavirus being the reason for the deaths of many people around the world. People like myself and millions others nationwide were vulnerable even before Covid-19 came and disrupted lives. I have been without a job for more than a decade Read more >

Law enforcers are locking down procurement corruption

By Thato Mahlangu Law enforcement agencies have said they are stepping up their efforts to curb public procurement corruption. During a joint presentation, which was held almost two weeks ago, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and the Hawks assured members of Parliament (MPs) that these units are working towards rooting Read more >

CSOs request resumption of Zondo hearings

UPDATE, June 2020: In a letter dated 15 June, the Zondo Commission replied to the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture to say that despite the strict lockdown regulations, the commission was able to do a substantial amount of work remotely in the weeks since the country shut down. The letter reiterated that hearings Read more >

Covid-19 and corruption – two risks, one opportunity

By Peter GloverFirst published on the Global Anti-corruption Blog The immediate consequences of Covid-19 are visible and visceral for everybody, even as some feel the effects more than others. In addition to reshaping everyday life, Covid-19 will also transform global governance – including with respect to corruption and related issues. In this post I want Read more >

We have to make the water sector an island of integrity

By Mike Muller and Barbara SchreinerFirst published in the Sunday Times By the end of the 2018/2019 financial year the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) had a staggering R16.5-billion in irregular expenditure and was, in the words of the chair of parliament’s standing committee on public accounts, insolvent. On 13 May the minister of Read more >