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CORRUPTION NEWS

Political parties: the missing link in our constitution?

By Kate O’Regan Justice of the Constitutional Court (1994 – 2009) Introduction The Constitution of the United States of America is 7 000 words long. Nowhere does it mention political parties. And that was not because the question did not arise. James Madison, in The Federalist No 10, characterised “factions”, his reference to political parties, Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

South Africa’s democracy ‘built to last’

The public protector is constitutionally mandated to investigate, report and take – not merely recommend – appropriate remedial action on improper conduct. This was again clarified by incumbent Advocate Thuli Madonsela at the recent State of the Nation business breakfast in Johannesburg. Madonsela and her fellow guest, former opposition politician and ambassador to Argentina Tony Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Namibian president voluntarily declares assets

South Africa is a country where assets and business interests, including that of government officials, can be a murky, secretive matter. But our north-western neighbour Namibia is showing how it's done – newly appointed president Hage Geingob and his wife Monica have both voluntarily made disclosures of their assets and business interests. This, says Rick Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Defamation is fine – in Parliament

Dear Corruption Watch, I never thought I'd say this, but watching proceedings in Parliament has become increasingly interesting. That said, I'm sometimes quite alarmed by what the MPs accuse each other of – from suggestions of corruption to calling the president a thief. I thought we had laws protecting people from being defamed. Why doesn't Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Corruption lower on Sona agenda than before

Delivering what is arguably his most anticipated State of the Nation Address (Sona) to date, President Jacob Zuma on Thursday dithered around the topic that has many South Africans concerned about the future of his government: corruption. On several occasions he referred to achievements of government that translate into a “good story to tell” for Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

SONA wishlist – better implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption measures

Dear Corruption Watch, When the president delivers the State of the Nation address in Parliament, what would you like to see on his legislative agenda in respect of anti-corruption programmes? Yours, Policy Wonk Dear Mr Wonk South Africa has excellent anti-corruption legislation. The Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act (Precca) criminalises the full range of Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Call for transparency and meritocracy in public service

With a committed attitude of integrity in public servants, South Africa can very well start winning the fight against the scourge. These were the views shared by a panel that led discussions at the annual commemoration of International Anti-Corruption Day in Pretoria on Tuesday. The event, jointly organised by the Public Service Commission (PSC), the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

High Court judgment will help clarify Protector’s powers

Corruption Watch welcomes the Western Cape High Court decision in the matter between the Democratic Alliance and the SABC, particularly the findings in relation to SABC chairperson Hlaudi Motsoeneng. We are pleased that both Motsoeneng and the SABC board are being held to account for their actions and in some instances, failure to act. More Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Call on government to walk its anti-corruption talk

If the South African government is indeed committed to fighting corruption, the budget allocated to the Office of the Public Protector needs to increase, according to a statement issued today by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS). In his medium term budget policy statement in Parliament on 22 October, finance minister Nhlanhla Nene noted that Read more >