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CORRUPTION NEWS

New act opens up political party funding to scrutiny

Act 6 of 2018, otherwise known as the Political Party Funding Act (PPFA), has been signed into law by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The act was gazetted on 23 January. It represents a significant step forward for democracy and accountability in the murky world of political party funding and opens up such funding to public and Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Elections 2019: ensuring that you can vote

With national elections coming up in a few months, it’s essential to ensure that you cast your vote and make your voice heard. Before going to the polls, though, there are certain steps that you should have taken to ensure that you won’t be turned away on the day. The first and most crucial step Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Well-run municipal elections produce a host of heroes

Our heroes for the week are all those who contributed to the smooth running of the 2016 local government elections. An election doesn’t only happen on the voting day, but takes many months of preparation and work behind the scenes. A typical election cycle includes steps such as the confirmation of procedures and municipal boundaries, voter Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Electoral integrity in Africa – why does it matter?

In South Africa, the Electoral Act contains an Electoral Code of Conduct aimed at promoting “conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections” and that create a climate of tolerance, free political campaigning, and open public debate. The Independent Electoral Commission oversees the country’s election process and will be expected to uphold the values Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Activators lead in issues of national interest

By Lwazi Nongauza Gauteng Activators joined dozens of young people from Gauteng in robust dialogue about youth participation in elections, at Corruption Watch’s third Integrity Lecture last week. The event took place in Braamfontein at Constitution Hill on 23 October. The Corruption Watch youth campaign event Youth To The Polls was hosted by human rights Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Checks and balances mainly after the fact

Dear Corruption Watch, I am concerned that many high-profile and important positions in South Africa made by the president are compromised from the start, like the national prosecutions head. What alternatives to presidential appointment are there in South Africa and other countries? Sick of Lapdogs Dear Sick of Lapdogs, Your concerns regarding presidential appointments are Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Can a changed electoral system boost accountability?

By Judith February In South Africa, it’s becoming a matter of routine for presidential question time to be disrupted. Recent scenes in the National Assembly left little room for doubt – as if there was any after the chaos of the state of the nation address in February ­– that Parliament is fast losing the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

IEC now seeks to have lease set aside

In the same week of the deadline for nominations for the replacement of former Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson Pansy Tlakula, the matter of the lease contract that got her in trouble was entering the court space once more. The IEC wants the North Gauteng high court to set aside the R320-million lease agreement that Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Tlakula gives up the fight

It has taken a while, but embattled Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) chairperson Pansy Tlakula has resigned. “Her resignation opens the way for the Commission to begin closing a particularly challenging and tumultuous period in the Electoral Commission’s history and to move forward as an institution,” said the IEC in a statement. In March this year Read more >