LITIGATIONZuma, Thales corruption trial looms after latest challenge dismissed 22 Jan 2021, 14:22 On Friday morning, 22 January, the Pietermaritzburg High Court dismissed, with costs, the bid by French arms company Thales to challenge racketeering charges. Known at that time as Thomson-CSF, Thales was a supplier in South Africa’s controversial multi-billion-rand arms deal in 1999. The charges of corruption, racketeering and money laundering are linked to the hugely Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS CSOs urge Zondo to prioritise key state capture witnesses 26 Oct 2020, 12:31 Corruption Watch is one of 19 organisations from the Civil Society Working Group (CSWG) on State Capture who have written an open letter to Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo urging him to give priority to a list of key state capture witnesses whose testimony has not yet been heard. The group wants Zondo to use Read more >
CORRUPTION NEWS CSO coalition asks Zondo to probe private sector role in state capture 20 Feb 2020, 12:02 By Jenna Etheridge and Cebelihle MthethwaFirst published on News24 More than 20 civil society groups have submitted their recommendations to the Zondo commission on how to reform the state and private sector in the wake of state capture. An Agenda for Action was submitted to the commission this month by organisations including Open Secrets, the Read more >
LITIGATION CW and R2K celebrate arms deal victory in court today 21 Aug 2019, 21:29 Today’s judgment handed down in the North Gauteng High Court vindicates the dogged efforts by civil society partners Corruption Watch and Right2Know Campaign (R2K) to have the findings of the Arms Procurement Commission (the Seriti Commission) reviewed and set aside. It also affirms the efforts of more than 40 civil society organisations and whistle-blowers that Read more >
LITIGATION Seriti commission’s findings set aside 21 Aug 2019, 14:13 The North Gauteng High Court has ruled to set aside the findings of the Seriti Commission of Inquiry investigating alleged corruption in the acquisition of arms by the South African government in 1999. The judgment follows an application by non-profit organisations Corruption Watch (CW) and Right2Know (R2K) to have the 2016 findings of the commission Read more >
LITIGATION Court to hand down Seriti judgment tomorrow 20 Aug 2019, 19:28 The North Gauteng High Court will tomorrow, 21 August, hand down judgment on the application brought forward by Corruption Watch and the Right2Know Campaign to review and set aside the findings of the arms deal commission. The commission was set up in 2011 by former president Jacob Zuma, who appointed Judge Willie Seriti, to head Read more >
LITIGATION Guns, politics, lies: the arms deal’s whitewash commission 18 Jun 2019, 10:30 By Tara Davis and Deborah Mutemwa-TumboFirst published in the Sunday Times What is the point of commissions of inquiry? Are they powerful tools for investigating issues of public concern that can ultimately bring about justice, or are they expensive political options used by those in power to pacify the public and justify impunity? Corruption Watch Read more >
LITIGATION Arms deal commission FAQ, and CW and R2K’s challenge 10 Jun 2019, 13:05 What is a commission of inquiry? A commission of inquiry is one of many bodies available to the government to inquire into various issues. Commissions report findings, give advice and make recommendations. While their findings are not legally binding, they can be highly influential. Commissions must act strictly within their terms of reference and ensure Read more >
LITIGATION Arms deal and Seriti Commission FAQ 10 Jun 2019, 12:31 What was the arms deal? In December 1999, the South African government signed contracts with a number of European defence companies to buy a range of sophisticated military equipment. South Africa purchased: Gripen jet fighters and Hawk jet fighter trainers from the UK/Swedish partnership, British Aerospace (now BAE Systems) and Saab. corvette warships from the Read more >