Posts

OPINIONS

Stricter adherence to PAIA will rebuild public trust

By Larry Kirsch The Covid-19 pandemic, precipitous global economic collapse, and demonstrations of civil protest from Minneapolis to Hong Kong and South Africa’s Western Cape have all demanded a decisive response from public leaders. The results, so far, have not instilled excessive confidence in the ability of governments – right, left, or centre – to Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Access to information in Africa: highs and lows

In its 2017 State of Access to Information in Africa report, the Open Democracy Advice Centre (Odac) studies 12 African countries in terms of their access to information (ATI) laws and practices. The countries are Cote d’Ivoire, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe. Of the 12 countries under Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

How to stop corruption: five key ingredients

First published by Transparency International There is no silver bullet for fighting corruption. Many countries have made significant progress in curbing corruption, however anti-corruption practitioners are always on the lookout for solutions and evidence of impact. Here are five ways that citizens and governments can make progress in the fight against corruption: End impunity   Read more >

LITIGATION

Civil society organisations challenge High Court

Corruption Watch is one of 11 civil society groups intervening as amici curiae in a challenge to a High Court judgment relating to the City of Cape Town’s dispute with Sanral. The organisations are concerned that the judgment, handed down in August 2014 by Judge Ashley Binns-Ward, will limit media freedom and access to High Read more >

LEGISLATION AND SUBMISSIONS

Still too many barriers to information, says PAIA CSN

Corruption Watch is a member of the PAIA Civil Society Network, an organisation whose members have committed themselves to improving the implementation and usage of the Promotion of Access to Information Act in South Africa, raising awareness about the right amongst citizens, and working with bodies subject to the Act to improve understanding. The organisation Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

TI: national security, transparency can co-exist

South Africa is one of 15 countries featured in a new report from Transparency International UK’s Defence and Security Programme. Titled Classified Information (A review of current legislation across 15 countries & the EU), the report was launched by TI’s Indonesian chapter and is the latest in the global organisation’s Corruption Risks series. It deals Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Gabriella Razzano: evangelist for openness

By Valencia Talane A transparent system of government that encourages access to information for its citizens as well as freedom of expression, while protecting those who question its decisions and motives, may be an unrealistic concept for many. For the team of activists at the Open Democracy Advice Centre (ODAC), however, it is the proverbial Read more >