CORRUPTION NEWS

Understanding tender corruption – part one

By Kavisha Pillay Public procurement processes are often complex and transparency of the process is sometimes limited, therefore manipulation of tendering procedures is hard to detect. Corruption Watch has recently been involved in a number of investigations that highlight the ease with which tender processes can be tampered – the Mpumalanga circumcision tender, a case Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

We delve into tender corruption

Public procurement is a much talked-about term, but is often mentioned in the context of corruption. What is it all about really? Corruption Watch has recently been involved in a number of investigations that highlight the ease with which tender processes can be tampered – the Mpumalanga circumcision tender, a case involving a massively inflated Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Well-run tender processes foster transparency

Dear Corruption Watch A lot of corruption seems to involve tenders. Is the government always required to put out a tender when it procures goods and services, or does it have other options? What circumstances have to be present for it to bypass the tender route? Worried Dear Worried Competitive procurement is a requirement in Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Health department does the right thing

Our hero this week has set a good example of how a government department and civil society can work together to fight corruption. The Mpumalanga provincial health department reacted promptly to a Corruption Watch investigation into alleged irregularities in the awarding of a multi-million-rand tender. The contract, to provide circumcision to 260 000 men and Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Jardine calls for integrity pact in tendering

Former Aveng CEO Roger Jardine has challenged the government and the corporate sector to strive for greater transparency and less secrecy – two factors which contribute significantly to corruption – in government tender processes. Jardine delivered a lecture last night at the Wits Business School, titled Rejecting Collusion and Corruption: Where to for the government Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Punishment for corruption must be enforced

Dear Corruption Watch, Whenever somebody gets convicted of corruption in South Africa, they seem to get off with a light sentence. Schabir Shaik was only in prison for a few months and Jackie Selebi too. Why do they get such small punishments? What should the punishments be for corruption? Yours, Feeling punitive Dear Punitive, The Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

CW probe leads to tender suspension

A Corruption Watch probe into the awarding of a multi-million circumcision contract has yielded positive results. The R182-million contract, between the Mpumalanga Department of Health and a private service provider, Mkhago Health Care Services, has been suspended as a result of the probe. The organisation received an anonymous tip-off two months ago and acted swiftly Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Celebrating brave educators on World Teachers Day

By Kavisha Pillay Teachers, and especially those who blow the whistle on corruption in their schools, are our heroes for today, as we prepare to mark World Teachers Day, 5 October. Proclaimed by Unesco in 1994, it is a day to appreciate the vital contribution teachers make to the development of young minds across the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

No way out for principal Usiba, says GED

Soweto school principal Nonzwakazi Usiba of Thubelihle Intermediary School is apparently trying to avoid responsibility for corrupt activities – by resigning. Usiba, who’s at the centre of an investigation into misuse of funds at the educational institution, will not be let off the hook that easily – the Gauteng Education Department (GED) has rejected her Read more >