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OPINIONS

We need to fix appointments to key institutions – now

By Kavisha PillayFirst published on News24 South Africa’s public service and institutions are in disarray. If we are to avoid any further breakdown of our institutions, we need to focus on who is appointed and scrutinise the appointment processes.  Transparent, merit-based and public participatory appointment proceedings are the minimum requirements to ensure the appointment of Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Strengthening public integrity, part 2 – what can be done?

In part 1 of our miniseries on strengthening public accountability, we focused on a recent discussion, titled Strengthening Political Integrity, which took place on 30 March 2022 at the 10th edition of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) annual global anti-corruption and integrity forum. Part 1 also highlighted the crisis that can ensue Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Strengthening public integrity, part 1 – the importance of an ethical public service

At the beginning of April the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) held the 10th edition of its annual global anti-corruption and integrity forum, in a virtual environment. The theme this year was Renew with Integrity, and the event focused on how creating different frameworks could resolve long-standing challenges, especially those exacerbated by the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

New report unpacks the working of social and ethics committees

Contrary to what the name implies, a company’s social and ethics committee (SEC) has nothing to do with behaviour in social situations. Rather, it allows the company to monitor and measure the impact that certain specified activities have on communities and the public at large. In terms of the Companies Act and its associated regulation Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

SA must protect its whistle-blowers – or lose the fight against corruption

Source: Tech Financials South Africa will not win the war against corruption if it does not actively and adequately protect whistle-blowers, the Desmond & Leah Tutu Legacy Foundation said on 10 November 2021. “Corruption has become embedded in South African society and it robs the country of the ability to provide its citizens with employment, services and social support by damaging Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The rot in the Public Service Commission, part 2: What’s next?

By Moepeng Talane The Public Service Commission (PSC) may have gotten rid of the main players in a nepotism scandal that rocked the institution early in 2020, leading to the dismissal of its director-general (DG), but the body is far from clearing itself of the stigma of a hithertofore largely unknown culture of autocracy and bad governance that has plagued it for years.   This is according to a whistle-blower who spoke to Corruption Watch on condition of Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The rot in the Public Service Commission: part one

By Moepeng Talane In a recent newsletter distributed by his office, President Cyril Ramaphosa mentioned the differences between honest and dishonest public servants, claiming that although the public service has become known over some years more for dishonest conduct, there is still hope for restoring its image and confidence in its mandate.   He was commemorating the beginning of public service month, observed officially in September very Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Whistle-blowers – the brave watchdogs of corruption

Until South Africa learns to appreciate and applaud its whistle-blowers – those who take their courage into their hands and expose dubious deeds – the fight against corruption will not gain full momentum. Whistle-blowers provide an invaluable service to their communities and compatriots, by helping to uncover widespread or large-scale wrongdoing that affects other people. Read more >