Soweto SGB under scrutiny

Corruption in schools is a focus of Corruption Watch’s operations, and since the launch of our schools campaign in January 2013, to the end of April 2014, we’ve received nearly 950 reports on schools, of which over 80% have been classified as corruption. Results of a survey we conducted in September 2013 revealed that the Read more >

Getting a grip on irregular expenditure in municipalities

Dear CW I am constantly reading about ‘irregular expenditure’ and ‘fruitless and wasteful expenditure’. What does this all mean? The Financial and Fiscal Commission said recently a whopping R4.7-billion was wasted in public healthcare spending. While few public servants with their hands in the cookie jar are prosecuted, fewer still seem to be held accountable for what also seems to be a Read more >

Suspected license crook walks free

A former licensing station chief, accused of masterminding a fake license racket, has been acquitted in the Eshowe Regional Court, along with some of those who were alleged to be involved in the syndicate. The prosecution is our zero for this week for failing to deliver a good enough case to secure a conviction. Richie Read more >

World Cup’s corruption blemish

By Valencia Talane It takes a lot for a country to convince the Federation of International Football Associations (Fifa) of its ability to host a world cup tournament. From the time it starts bidding to the point when the last brick is placed to finish off a world-class stadium, it is a gruelling, costly effort Read more >

Corruption reports increase in 2014

Corruption Watch has undertaken a number of activities in the first part of the year to further encourage the public to join the fight against corruption. The response has been positive leading to an increase in the number of complaints reported to the organisation. In the first five months of the year we investigated several Read more >

Corruption endangers road users

Road safety organisation Arrive Alive, in a recently published online report, discussed crimes that affect road users, as well as the quality of South Africa’s roads. These crimes include corruption. Arrive Alive reported: “We have to admit that we face serious challenges to safety daily at our homes, places of work and on the roads. Read more >

The rot of corruption feeds on impunity of the powerful

by David Lewis The considerable advances since 1994 notwithstanding, South Africa is still confronted with huge challenges. Poverty, inequality and unemployment leap out. Public education and health systems are severely strained. Service delivery protests and crippling strikes manifest these social and economic conditions. Yet the issue that dominated last month’s elections was corruption. That corruption Read more >

Wads of cash place legal onus on seller

Dear Corruption Watch, I was recently in a jewellery store when a customer walked in, selected a number of valuable pieces, took wads of cash from his briefcase, paid for his purchases and walked out. A friend of mine working in a similarly upmarket estate agency tells me that high-end properties are often purchased for Read more >