Posts

Fighting corruption is everyone’s business and we should all dig in

By Kavisha PillayFirst published on Daily Maverick This year marks 30 years since South Africa became a constitutional democracy, and with that, we should reflect on the many positives that have been ushered in and implemented during this period. Our democracy, though fragile and at risk in many instances, still has the potential to improve Read more >

Democracy at work in Mapisa-Nqakula, Hlophe, and Motata cases

Image: Flickr/GovernmentZA By Moepeng Valencia Talane – CW Voices Never before has South Africa seen the impeachment of a judge over gross misconduct, and yet in February, two such processes were completed. Then we saw the Speaker of Parliament not only resigning from office before the end of her term, but also arrested and arraigned Read more >

The state of democracy around the world: latest report

Democracy [noun]UK /dɪˈmɒk.rə.si/ The belief in freedom and equality between people, or a system of government based on this belief, in which power is either held by elected representatives or directly by the people themselves. South Africa, like more than 60 other countries, goes to the polls in a couple of months in what is Read more >

Ways to get involved in Parliament as a member of the public

Parliament, in its own words, “is the place where the members of Parliament [MPs] look after your interests.” It is only just, therefore, that Parliament allows public participation and oversight so that people can rest assured that MPs do indeed have the nation’s interests at heart. This is vital in a well-functioning democracy, because MPs Read more >

Democracy not so sweet any more, say South Africans

Survey results released last week indicate that the majority of South Africans are dissatisfied with the way democracy works in their country – this is according to Afrobarometer, who polled residents’ satisfaction with democracy during November and December 2022. Furthermore, few citizens see the country as a well-functioning democracy, with a growing majority saying they Read more >

Parliament: Zondo must stay in his lane, allow us space

Chief Justice Raymond Zondo overstepped his boundaries when he publicly made “inappropriate” remarks that undermined Parliament’s efforts in addressing state capture, says the institution’s spokesperson Moloto Mothapo. Mothapo said this in a statement released last Thursday evening, 22 June 2023, in response to remarks made by Zondo earlier in the day at an event marking Read more >

Stemming the tide of kleptocracy – bold solutions alone not enough

Image: Flickr/sharonkubo By Karam SinghFirst published on News24 We have lived through a democratic transition wherein the rule of law has withstood a vicious battering, and what remains is a weak constitutional order presided over by a deeply compromised and corrupt governing party, writes the author. In the decade since Corruption Watch (CW) was formed, Read more >

Personal integrity is the antidote we need to corruption

By Kavisha PillayFirst published on Daily Maverick Over the past five years South Africa has made significant strides in addressing corruption in the country. We appointed new heads to law enforcement agencies. We established new bodies such as the Investigating Directorate, the Special Tribunal and the Fusion Centre. A commission of inquiry into State Capture Read more >

World Press Freedom Day marks 30th anniversary

It’s been 30 years since the UN General Assembly proclaimed 3 May as an international day for press freedom. In those 30 years, journalists have faced an increasing barrage of threats, says UN Secretary-General António Guterres, in his message for World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) 2023. “Journalists and media workers are directly targeted on and Read more >