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CW report shows whistle-blower increase during Covid-19

The 2020 edition of Corruption Watch’s Analysis of Corruption Trends (ACT) report, released today, demonstrates growing concerns about corruption levels in South Africa. The report also illustrates that the will of the public to expose the corrupt and seek consequences remains strong even during the pandemic. Almost 2 000 people took the step of blowing Read more >

Corruption Watch to release its half-yearly corruption report

On Tuesday 22 September, Corruption Watch will release its 2020 Analysis of Corruption Trends (ACT) report. This fourth edition of the half-yearly publication provides a snapshot of what the public has identified as areas of concern in the fight against corruption in South Africa. It sheds light on the forms and types of corruption reported Read more >

Inaction and weak policies boost the illicit drug market

By Thato Mahlangu Drug markets have been reported to be increasing, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. This grim but unsurprising information is one of the findings of the UN’s World Drug Report which was released on 25 June 2020. The report reveals how some governments are failing to clamp down on the illicit trade of Read more >

Police reform in South Africa is long overdue

Image credit: Institute for Security Studies By Sabeehah Motala and Melusi Ncala Images of the United States of America burning have dominated headlines these past weeks. The images are seared into our minds, of protest action taking centre stage across the country, and indeed the world, following the killing of George Floyd. Rightfully so, as Read more >

Cele cleared of wrongdoing by court, PP’s report set aside

By Thato Mahlangu The public protector’s 2018 report, which found police minister Bheki Cele to have ‘failed’ to protect two whistle-blowers, was declared invalid by the Gauteng North High Court last Wednesday. Cele had taken the report under judicial review. The court also cleared Cele of wrongdoing when it found that his department is not Read more >

Assault, threats, and the butt of a state gun

Image: GCIS By Valencia Talane NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect new criminal charges brought against four Minneapolis policemen implicated in the death of George Floyd. Initially one officer was charged with third-degree murder but his charge has been upgraded to second-degree, while three more accused of playing a role in Floyd’s death Read more >

CW welcomes R500bn stimulus, cautions against corruption

Corruption Watch welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement on 21 April 2020 of a range of social and economic measures to the tune of R500-billion, to counteract the severe impact of the coronavirus pandemic. There is no doubt that the human, social and economic cost of the current lockdown has already taken a heavy toll, in Read more >

Know your rights when dealing with police

Do you know what to do if you encounter a corrupt police officer, who asks you for a bribe? What happens if you’re arrested? Do you know what police abuse of power looks like? In each situation, you have clearly defined rights, and these may not be ignored. During the Covid-19 lockdown, when residents are Read more >

No forced evictions during lockdown, says minister

By Thato Mahlangu Forced evictions, allegedly carried out by the Cape Town and eThekwini municipalities during the national lockdown have been described as inhumane by a union. Since the start of the lockdown security forces in many parts of the Western Cape have forcefully evicted informal settlements from land they had occupied, even though human Read more >