CORRUPTION NEWS

Corrupt police abuse, exploit sex workers

By Zaheer Cassim Sex workers are made extremely vulnerable by corruption in the police force, needing protection from officers who demand sex or money from them. This emerged from the 2012 Cosatu Gender Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday 27 March, where the decriminalization of sex work was discussed. Sally-Jean Shackleton, director of the Sex Worker Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Is new police watchdog facing old problems?

By Chantelle Benjamin Researchers into law enforcement are concerned that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), a new police watchdog set to replace the existing Independent Complaints Directorate in April, is not sufficiently resourced or structured to deal effectively with corruption and other crimes. According to Gareth Newham of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

‘Shining light on graft is the best cure’

28 March 2012 – Corruption Watch delivered a strong message to parliament yesterday during the final round of public hearings on the Info Bill, arguing that the best weapon to defeat corruption is an informed public. Executive director David Lewis said “sunlight is the best disinfectant” when targeting multiple acts of corruption and that the Read more >

CW IN THE MEDIA

Information Bill gets a beating in parliament

The Protection of State Information Bill came in for a sustained pummelling in Parliament yesterday when organisations representing the fields of media, law, human rights and the fight against corruption unanimously rejected the bill in its current form. Corruption Watch, launched by Cosatu eight weeks ago, detailed how it believed the bill could undermine the Read more >

CW IN THE MEDIA

Institutions raise voices against Secrecy Bill

Several respected institutions yesterday mounted a renewed attack on the African National Congress’ so-called secrecy bill, as submission after submission to the National Council of Provinces called for significant changes to be made to the bill. The newly formed civil society led Corruption Watch warned that the bill as it stands would impede the fight Read more >

PRESS RELEASES

Info Bill will instil fear of reporting corruption

27 March 2012 – The Information Bill will further instil fear of reporting corruption, thus eroding public trust in state institutions, the executive director of Corruption Watch David Lewis told parliament today during the Information Bill public hearings.   Lewis said while the Bill’s purpose was to defend national security, the greatest threats and dangers Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Big-time bribes to bring opponent down

27 March 2012 – A job and a Beemer are the lures allegedly used by Musa Mkhatshwa, a member of the ANC Youth League (ANCYL), to persuade a journalist to trash a potential opponent of Mpumalanga Premier David Mabuza. Suspended ANCYL provincial secretary Musa Mkhatshwa has been accused of persuading a journalist to write negative Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Sekunjalo: Minister avoiding prickly issues?

By Chantelle Benjamin   26 March 2012 – A communication blackout following the announcement of a probe into tender practices by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has led to concerns of irregularities being covered up.   Democratic Alliance MP and spokesperson on Fisheries Pieter van Dalen said he was concerned Agriculture, Forestry and Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Government tender fraud: Who takes the rap?

Dear Corruption Watch There are many reports in the news about government tenders going to friends and family where thousands and even millions of rands are allocated and services are not delivered. Who should take the rap for this, members of the tender adjudication committee, or the company awarded and violating the terms of its Read more >