As part of this week’s meeting of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) in Cape Town, South Africa today launched its third national action plan (NAP) which includes a high-level commitment to creating a public register of beneficial ownership information. Corruption Watch, as a participant in Transparency International’s (TI) Unmask the Corrupt campaign, has been calling Read more >
PRESS
Open Letter to the Special Envoy on Open Government Partnership To: the deputy minister of public service and administration, Ayanda Dlodlo The establishment of the Open Government Partnership (OGP) internationally in 2011 brought the promise of greater accountability, greater transparency and the fostering of citizen participation through a collaborative partnership between government and civil society. Read more >
RAISING AWARENESS
In response to President Zuma’s release yesterday of the Seriti Commission’s report, Corruption Watch notes that, given the thoroughly flawed and irregular proceedings of the commission over the last four years, this outcome is hardly surprising. The report’s eventual failure to address long-standing allegations of corruption in the arms deal prevents closure of this sordid Read more >
OUTREACH AND EVENTS
URGENT MEDIA ALERT 05 April 2016 This evening an alliance of civil society, church, trade union and academic organisations held an urgent meeting to discuss the growing political and economic crisis that faces South Africa. In attendance were representatives of the Anglican Church of South Africa, the Evangelical Alliance, the South African Christian Leadership Initiative, Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS
A global investigation, involving some 400 journalists from 80 countries, into the use of secret companies by the rich, powerful and corrupt has shown how a network of lawyers, bankers and others around the world hide illicit wealth. Transparency International (TI) calls on the international community to act immediately to adopt transparency laws to outlaw secret Read more >
GOVERNANCE
Today the board of Corruption Watch announced that Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane has stepped down as chair after three years in that position, but will remain on the board. Mavuso Msimang, a board member since 2012, will take over as chair with immediate effect. “We are incredibly grateful to the Archbishop for his inspiring leadership and Read more >
LITIGATION
Corruption Watch applauds today’s Constitutional Court judgment which finds that the rulings of the Public Protector are binding and can only be set aside upon judicial review. The judgment reinforces the provision in the Constitution for all organs of state to protect and promote the Chapter 9 institutions. This includes taking positive steps to safeguard Read more >
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
Last night in Mbizana, Eastern Cape, unknown attackers impersonating police officers assassinated the activist and chairperson of the Amadiba Crisis Committee at his home, in front of his young child. Sikhosiphi Bazooka Rhadebe from Mdatya village in Amadiba died on the scene after being shot in the head eight times. Under Rhadebe’s leadership, the Amadiba Read more >
POLICY AND ADVOCACY
On Sunday afternoon the Helen Suzman Foundation (HSF) offices in Parktown, Johannesburg, were the target of a military-style raid. Those conducting the raid clearly knew what they were looking for: computers and other documentation relating to the programmatic work of the HSF were taken. The brazen, co-ordinated nature of the operation and its targeted, selective Read more >