Armscor clarifies aspects of arms deal procurement

By Lee-Ann Alfreds They have formed a procession of grey men, with Afrikaans surnames and titles such as programme manager, acquisitions manager and chief financial officer. But while Robert Vermeulen, Johan Odendal, Jacobus Grobler, David Griesel and Henderich de Waal Esterhuyse have not necessarily provided headline-grabbing testimony, they have been important witnesses for the Arms Read more >

CW sheds more light on schools corruption

Since the launch of Corruption Watch in January 2012, corruption busters have been submitting reports detailing their experiences with corruption in their schools – and more so since the organisation officially launched its schools campaign a year later. As of 20 April 2014, Corruption Watch had received a total of 926 reports on schools. Of Read more >

Corruption Watch is hiring – investigative journalist

Investigative journalist   Opportunity closing date:   Monday, May 19, 2014 Opportunity type:   Employment Corruption Watch is a civil society organisation that gathers, analyses and shares information on corruption in South Africa and supports a more engaged and active civil society. Corruption Watch, based in Johannesburg, is currently seeking to appoint an investigative journalist to work Read more >

Court oversight enhances democracy

Dear Corruption Watch A few weeks ago, the Constitutional Court declared the R10-billion contract for the payment of social grants between the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and Cash Paymaster Services invalid. The court ordered Sassa to rerun its tender process and suspended the declaration of invalidity pending the new tender process. It also Read more >

Young leaders of today

Our heroes this week are the Free State pupils who so enthusiastically embraced the inaugural Corruption Watch / Debate Afrika Model Youth South Africa challenge – those who made it to the participation stage, and those who wanted to but were unsuccessful. The challenge, which focused on tackling corruption in schools, started in March with Read more >

Fiery debate in the Free State

By Valencia Talane Young people of today should not look at themselves as leaders of tomorrow, but actually as leaders of today who are shaping the future. David Lewis, Corruption Watch executive director, shared this message at a lively debate session that was the culmination of the Model Youth South Africa (MYSA) challenge. The event, Read more >

Reviewing a public protector’s report

Dear Corruption Watch Many targets of investigation by the public protector — for example, Tina Joemat-Pettersson in her handling of the state’s fishing vessels and Pansy Tlakula in her actions at the Independent Electoral Commission — demand that the courts “review” her findings. What is the role of a court in relation to the public Read more >

Nkandla in the wind

Source: The Economist “I am often asked by people from India and Russia, ‘Why do you worry?’”, says David Lewis, head of Corruption Watch, a privately funded watchdog based in Johannesburg. Why indeed? South Africa sits in the middle of international rankings of corruption. It is not Sweden but nor is it Zimbabwe. It has Read more >

New handbook helps kids fight sexual abuse in schools

By Valencia Talane A high school learner walks into a classroom just before the start of her next lesson and heads straight towards a teacher who is sitting at her desk in front. The learner hands the teacher some money and in turn receives a document. A door to an adjacent room opens and out Read more >