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CSOs condemn recent threats by govt officials, call for accountability

Dear Mr President, The ongoing attacks on civil society organisations by government officials are concerning and must receive urgent attention. These attacks are unacceptable, go against our country’s Constitution, and undermine our democracy. This week, the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa (SERI) announced that they are temporarily closing their offices after Councillor Nkululeko Mbundu, Read more >

NGOs condemn Motsoaledi attack on HSF

Media statement from Freedom Under Law, Section27, Defend Our Democracy Campaign, Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, SERI and Corruption Watch Three features distinguish our country from many other young democracies: first, respect for the Rule of Law; second, a vibrant civil society; and, thirdly and crucially, a fearless judiciary. This week we saw a glaring instance of Read more >

Finally, police watchdog Ipid will have a new head

By Thato Mahlangu A new head for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has been appointed, announced the police watchdog last week. The Portfolio Committee on Police said last Wednesday it has confirmed the nomination to appoint Jennifer Dikeledi Ntlatseng as Ipid’s new executive director (ED). Ntlatseng had been the director of the community relations under Read more >

Are our whistle-blowers adequately protected?

Part one of our mini-series on South African laws that protect whistle-blowers focused mainly on the Protected Disclosures Act (PDA) – our main piece of legislation – and the key ways that it differs from international best practice. In part two we examine how the actual procedures for making a disclosure measure up. Once the Read more >

SA’s whistle-blower protection – how robust is it?

Whistle-blower – A person who exposes any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organisation that is either private or public Wim Vandekerckhove, Whistleblowing and Organizational Social Responsibility : A Global Assessment. Whistle-blowers are the lifeblood of Corruption Watch. Our work is driven by the reports we receive Read more >

Focus on civil society funding rather than BEE, says CEO

By Aphiwe Deklerk First published in Business Day Magda Wierzycka‚ CEO of Sygnia Asset Management‚ has called on companies to ignore black economic empowerment (BEE) points and rather fund civil rights organisations fighting corruption in the country. She said that considering Sahara Computers, a business owned by the Gupta family, had a level 6 BEE Read more >

NGO statement on Helen Suzman Foundation raid

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 >