Collusion is corruption

By David Lewis The past week has been a ­watershed in two related perceptions of corruption in South Africa. The first is that the private sector bears little responsibility for corruption. The second is that no good news regarding corruption ever comes out of the public sector. The notion that the private sector was, at Read more >

Graft can violate our human rights

Dear Corruption Watch, A lot of organisations claim that corruption is a violation of human rights. Can you please explain this? It seems to me that it also undermines any right stipulated in the Bill of Rights because it effectively pulls the rug out from under public commitments and diverts resources. Do you agree? Law-abider Read more >

Twin heroes set the standard

By Valencia Talane Our joint heroes for this week are Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and the Competition Commission – both have recently taken swift and effective action against matters affecting the integrity of our nation, showing that unethical behaviour and corrupt scheming do have real consequences. Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan has set high standards for Read more >

The trouble in Tlokwe: latest developments

Fourteen councillors in North West’s troubled Tlokwe municipality have been reinstated by the ANC after being dismissed in July. A provincial disciplinary committee had found them guilty of misconduct after they participated in a vote of no confidence against former mayor Maphetle Maphetle, in November 2012. The vote was prompted by allegations of corruption against Read more >

Gordhan sets a standard for all to uphold

Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan has shown that it is possible to hold those in public office to the highest standards of accountability and protect the integrity of public office and institutions. He has acted swiftly, professionally and transparently, in a manner that befits his high office and that of the office of the South Read more >

The real cost of corruption – part three

By Lorraine Louw In the last of our three-part series on the cost of corruption, we take a closer look at the work of the Special Investigating Unit and the office of the auditor-general in quantifying the lossed incurred by the country annually. According to the SIU’s latest annual report for 2011/12, the president issued Read more >

Corruption Watch joins construction cartel hearings

By Nicky Rehbock Corruption Watch today called for all those affected by the recently exposed collusive tendering in the construction industry – including municipalities, provinces and private entities – to institute civil claims for damages suffered. This was made in a submission by the organisation to the Competition Tribunal for the hearings into the R1.46-billion Read more >

Tlokwe’s forgotten community

By Valencia Talane Away from the political power drama that has made Tlokwe municipality in North West a hot topic recently, is the story of a small town – like many others in South Africa – where service delivery is seen to be compromised by corruption and non-accountability in the eyes of the community.   Read more >

Clean slate tougher for young democracy

Dear Corruption Watch, I know that corruption is not a problem unique to South Africa, but are we more corrupt than most countries? Is corruption in a developing country such as ours potentially more dangerous for society than in a wealthier country? – Seeking Comparison Dear Seeking Comparison, Transparency International is an organisation that highlights Read more >