DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

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 >

HEROES & ZEROES

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 >

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

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 >

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >

PUBLICATIONS

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 >

HEROES & ZEROES

Madonsela one of Time’s 100 most influential people

Source: Public protector Public protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela on Thursday welcomed the announcement that she had been named in the annual list of the most influential people in the world by American news magazine, Time. Humbled by the gesture, the public protector said she was taken by surprise that the modest efforts of her office Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Former ministers’ testimony may shed light

By Lee-Ann Alfreds They are vaunted for being “brave truth tellers”, widely admired and praised for criticising graft and corruption in the ruling ANC. But that is only one side of Trevor Manuel, Ronnie Kasrils and Mosiuoa Lekota. For the former Cabinet ministers are also responsible for approving, stridently defending or championing the controversial, corruption-ridden Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Youngsters have fun tackling corruption

By Valencia Talane It has been said on numerous occasions in the lead-up to this year’s national election that it is the youth vote that will draw the most attention of political parties. Their policies should appeal to young people who are thinking about the future of South Africa, more than anyone else. For an Read more >