South Africa’s democracy ‘built to last’

The public protector is constitutionally mandated to investigate, report and take – not merely recommend – appropriate remedial action on improper conduct. This was again clarified by incumbent Advocate Thuli Madonsela at the recent State of the Nation business breakfast in Johannesburg. Madonsela and her fellow guest, former opposition politician and ambassador to Argentina Tony Read more >

Global corruption snapshots: 23 July 2015

The latest corruption stories from around the globe: Brazil’s former president Lula da Silva faces probe amid allegations of influence-peddling, while China’s Communist Party expels one of its own from public office amid corruption allegations and South African sports journalists flees the country in fear for his life! The scandal that ate Malaysia The near Read more >

Learning from the example of past presidents

By Judith February One of the defining moments of Nelson Mandela’s presidency was when he took the stand in the case of the President of the RSA and Others versus South African Rugby Football Union (Sarfu) and Others in 1999. The year before, Mandela appointed a commission to investigate allegations of racism, nepotism and corruption against Sarfu, Read more >

Act lost in bureaucracy it should be policing

Dear Corruption Watch: You’ve reported before on the new Public Administration Management Act. You’ve told us that the act is really important since it prevents state officials from doing business with the state and requires them to declare all financial interests. I’ve heard that the president still hasn’t brought the act into operation. When is Read more >

Global corruption snapshots: 16 July 2015

Greece is a victim of its own cronyism and corruption Why is Greece so different and why does the government of Alexis Tsipras send such mixed messages towards Europe? Many people believe that the origins of Greece’s problems lie in its four-century domination by the Ottomans, which meant that it missed defining moments in European Read more >

Nkandla report crafted to exonerate President Zuma

The release of Police Minister Nathi Nhleko’s Nkandla report yesterday, and its conclusion that President Zuma is cleared of all obligation to pay back any of the costs associated with the upgrade of his personal home, was met with dismay by Corruption Watch. It highlights the current trend that allows, if not encourages, our leaders Read more >

Immigrants’ rights are not negotiable

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba being sworn into office in May 2014. His department is responsible for the administration of immigrants in the country as well as the protection of their rights. Image source: GCIS   Immigrants in South Africa could be forgiven for thinking that the country might not, after all, be the right Read more >

‘Presumed innocent’ not an invisibility cloak

Dear Corruption Watch: My local councillor is being investigated for his role in corrupt tender processes in our municipality. A senior branch member of our political party told me that I should not discuss the allegations or charges because the councillor is “innocent until proven guilty”. I understand that this is an important part of Read more >

Global corruption snapshots: 9 July 2015

Image source: Transparency International Thursday, 09/07/2015 – 12:30 Ex-state senator pleads guilty to racketeering in California An ex-California state senator pleaded guilty on Wednesday to a racketeering charge in an organised crime and public corruption case centred in San Francisco’s Chinatown. Leland Yee could face a maximum of 20 years in prison when he is Read more >