Bill balances wrongs and rights

Dear Corruption Watch, The most recent version of the Public Administration Management Bill has some significant changes to previous versions. The new bill removes the clause that would have enforced a “cooling off” period for public employees before going into the private sector. Surely this is important to manage conflicts of interest and the potential Read more >

Brave pupils take on education department

By Valencia Talane Like many other youngsters, Zamuxolo Moutloali takes his matric exams very seriously. He has had a passion for drawing since childhood, so naturally his sights beyond the make-or-break exams are set on a course in graphic design or similar. But 2013 has not been an easy year for Zamuxolo and his sister Palesa Read more >

Leading by example in the fight against corruption

By Valencia Talane Parts one and two of our new series have highlighted different aspects of being a whistleblower. In part three, we read about a man who is helping to show his community that ordinary people speaking out is an important part of fighting corruption. Chris Setusha, a teacher at Mmutle High School in Hammanskraal north Read more >

A perfect example of a revolutionary activist

By Valencia Talane In part one of our whistleblower series we got to know Cecilia Sililo-Tshishonga. In part two, we meet a man who was brave enough to stand up against corruption, and was very possibly killed for it. The story of the life of the late Moss Phakoe is one that evokes varying emotions. Read more >

Vote for your Hero and Zero of the Year

It’s that time of the year again, when we ask you to vote for your top zero or hero for 2013. Last year President Jacob Zuma topped the zero poll, and Public Protector Thuli Madonsela was by far the most popular choice of hero. The candidates for Hero / Zero of the Year 2013 are Read more >

Hard times and discrimination for whistleblowers

By Valencia Talane People who blow the whistle on corruption should not expect a pat on the back, because it may never come. Rather, they should act from the heart, knowing that their careers, and even their lives, may veer off in an unanticipated direction. This is the advice of Cecilia Sililo-Tshishonga, a wife and Read more >

Madonsela’s findings on Pule, Joemat-Pettersson

Public protector Thuli Madonsela released three finalised reports at a media briefing on Thursday 9 December. The reports gave details of investigations into irregular activities at the the Eastern Cape Department of Education, the Department of Communications and the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. Madonsela reported on the findings of an investigation into the Read more >

Whistleblowers: ordinary people turned heroes

Today, 9 December, is International Anti-Corruption Day. The day aims to raise public awareness of corruption and what people can do to fight it. This year’s theme is Zero Corruption – 100% Development, meaning that corruption is a barrier to achieving the Millennium Development Goals, because it diverts funds away from desperately needed facilities and Read more >

Grant saga needs probe for clarity

Dear Corruption Watch, The saga about the awarding of the social grants contract has been going on for a while. There was recently a Constitutional Court judgment about it and Corruption Watch intervened in the case. Why did Corruption Watch decide to get involved and what are the implications of the judgment? What Does It All Read more >