CW: swoop on corrupt officials in VBS scandal to be applauded

The second wave of arrests of individuals involved in the looting of VBS Mutual Bank, this time focused on municipal officials, represents an important step towards holding accountable those responsible for one of the most blatant abuses of resources intended for the provision of basic services. The first arrest in this second phase took place Read more >

Govt drops ball on Covid-19 relief promises, says BJC

The supplementary budget announced by Minister of Finance Tito Mboweni on 24 June 2020, including a revised fiscal framework and spending plans, reveals that only R36-billion of the much lauded R500-billion economic relief package is new money allocated in the fiscus this financial year. According to Budget Justice Coalition (BJC), this is not even close Read more >

CW welcomes new law lifting lid on political party donations

Corruption Watch applauds the signing into law of the Promotion of Access to Information Amendment Act (PAIA), one of three pieces of legislation signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa earlier this week. The legislation will require the heads of political parties and independent candidates alike to record all donations exceeding the threshold of R100 000, including Read more >

CSOs request resumption of Zondo hearings

UPDATE, June 2020: In a letter dated 15 June, the Zondo Commission replied to the Civil Society Working Group on State Capture to say that despite the strict lockdown regulations, the commission was able to do a substantial amount of work remotely in the weeks since the country shut down. The letter reiterated that hearings Read more >

CW warns of opacity in emergency procurement measures

Corruption Watch, in fulfilling its commitment to ensuring accountability and the integrity of public finances, sent a letter to National Treasury (NT) on Thursday, 7 May 2020, expressing its concern regarding the repeal and release of different instruction notes relating to emergency procurement under COVID-19. The release of successive instruction notes has created legal uncertainty Read more >

Over 60 CANs set up to address COVID-19 impact in Gauteng

Gauteng Together applauds the establishment of over 60 community action networks (CANs) across the province, addressing the COVID-19 crisis by providing food and social support to those in need. Among the major areas where CANs have been set up are Diepsloot, Zandspruit, Fourways, Sandton, Observatory, Johannesburg Inner City, Moroka, Naledi, Lenasia, Ennerdale, Thokoza, Vosloorus, Stretford Read more >

Govt Covid-19 economic response inadequate, punitive

Access to sufficient food and relief from economic hardship are fundamental rights entrenched in the South African Constitution alongside the right to access healthcare services. And yet, notes the Budget Justice Coalition (BJC), the economic measures put in place by the government so far are punitive to the poor and working class in South Africa, Read more >

CW welcomes R500bn stimulus, cautions against corruption

Corruption Watch welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on 21 April 2020 of a range of social and economic measures to the tune of R500-billion, to counteract the severe impact of the coronavirus pandemic. There is no doubt that the human, social and economic cost of the current lockdown has already taken a heavy toll, in Read more >

CW responds to Eskom’s statement on the COO

Corruption Watch (CW) questions Eskom’s media statement of 15 April 2020 on the chief operating officer (COO), Jan Oberholzer. The statement in question is reproduced at the end of this document. The organisation has previously identified factually incorrect statements by Eskom.  The whistle-blower who approached CW raised concerns about victimisation with respect to a prior Read more >