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SA’s defence corruption risk remains high

The Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index (GI) is an initiative of Transparency Internal UK’s Defence and Security Programme. The index assesses the existence, effectiveness, and enforcement of institutional and informal controls in the management of corruption in defence and security institutions. The organisation made its Africa report available online in January – it will be officially Read more >

Defence anti-corruption index exposes SA weaknesses

Ahead of the G20 summit, which this year takes place in Antalya, Turkey, on 15 and 16 November, Transparency International UK’s Defence and Security Programme has launched the results of the Government Defence Anti-Corruption Index (GI) for these states, including South Africa. The GI measures the risk of corruption in national defence and security establishments Read more >

Secrecy a threat to our democracy

The Right2Know (R2K) Campaign has today released its Secret State of the Nation Report 2014, which addresses certain trends, patterns and problems around secrecy in South Africa. The country is grappling with ever-greater threats to access to information, such as the Protection of State Information Bill (the infamous Secrecy Bill), which is not yet signed Read more >

Civil society prepares for battle as Secrecy Bill passed

With the Secrecy Bill needing only President Jacob Zuma’s signature now before it becomes law, civil society organisations are preparing to take their fight to the Constitutional Court, where they feel its ultimate fate should be decided. The National Assembly passed the Protection of State Information Bill, dubbed the Secrecy Bill, yesterday with 190 members Read more >

Whistleblower gets job back, but crisis rages on

Yesterday Public Protector Thuli Madonsela announced that Justice Department whistleblower "Mrs M" would be reinstated, following an investigation into how “Mrs M” was treated for reporting corrupt colleagues at the department where she worked. The whistleblower worked at a division of the KwaZulu-Natal High Court Master’s office that dealt with children. Madonsela’s report on the Read more >

‘Political elite must put integrity above self-interest’

Corruption is eating away at Africa's biggest economy, stifling growth, marring its international reputation and, most importantly, hurting the poor, writes Transparency International’s managing director Cobus de Swardt. Now that the ANC has elected its leaders, it should recognise the problems, opportunities and challenges ahead and make combating corruption a priority. From allegations of dodgy Read more >

TI survey confirms SA’s corruption fears rising

The global perception survey on corruption from Transparency International shows South Africa’s position has worsened again.  The country is now ranked 69 out of 176 countries surveyed in 2012, a decline from last year’s 64th position out of 183 countries. “We are not surprised,” commented Corruption Watch executive director David Lewis. “The survey echoes what Read more >

National Council of Provinces passes Secrecy Bill

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) on Thursday passed the Protection of State Information Bill – or Secrecy Bill – in parliament. The results were 34 votes in favour of the bill, 16 against. No one abstained. The debate preceding the vote was opened by State Security Minister Siyabonga Cwele, who said that South Africans Read more >

‘Shining light on graft is the best cure’

28 March 2012 – Corruption Watch delivered a strong message to parliament yesterday during the final round of public hearings on the Info Bill, arguing that the best weapon to defeat corruption is an informed public. Executive director David Lewis said “sunlight is the best disinfectant” when targeting multiple acts of corruption and that the Read more >