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Global financial secrecy revealed in the 2018 FSI

The 2018 Financial Secrecy Index (FSI), an initiative of the Tax Justice Network (TJN), was launched recently. The FSI ranks jurisdictions according to their secrecy and the scale of their offshore financial activities. It shies away from being political, positioning itself instead as a tool for understanding global financial secrecy, tax havens or secrecy jurisdictions, Read more >

Bank of Baroda played key role in SA’s Gupta scandal

By Khadija Sharife (OCCRP) and Josy Joseph (The Hindu) First published on OCCRP India’s state-owned Bank of Baroda – one of the country’s largest – played a crucial role in the financial machinations of South Africa’s politically influential Gupta family, allowing them to move hundreds of millions of dollars originating in alleged dirty deals into Read more >

SOE shake-up on the cards – SA waits for action

Between the pronouncement made on planned anti-corruption efforts during his maiden state of the nation address (Sona) on 16 February this year, and his Cabinet announcement of this past Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa seems to be serious about his administration’s planned restoration of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).  It remains to be seen, however, if the interventions Read more >

Ramaphosa withdraws appeal against NDPP judgment

The Presidency will no longer be appealing a North Gauteng High Court order that found former president Jacob Zuma to be too conflicted to “appoint, suspend or remove the National Director of Public Prosecutions or someone in an acting capacity as such”, and that the deputy president should perform that function as long as Zuma Read more >

A redefining moment for Africa

First published on Transparency International The newly released Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) provides a good baseline for the African Union (AU) anti-corruption efforts in 2018. This year’s theme for the AU is “Winning the Fight against Corruption: A Sustainable Path to Africa’s Transformation.” As the AU rolls out its plan, this is an important moment Read more >

SANParks, Wiese involved in dodgy Namibian rhino deal

By John Grobler and Khadija Sharife First published on OCCRP Major gaps between South African and Namibian legislation that regulates the endangered species trade allowed for the sale of at least 13 white rhino bulls from a South African game park to a Russian big game hunting outfit in Namibia. Nine of these rhinos were Read more >

SA continues to keep dubious company on CPI

Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2017, released today, shows just how difficult it is to advance on the global ranking of countries in relation to perceptions about levels of corruption in the public sector. South Africa’s score of 43 represents a drop of two points from 45 in 2016 – a marginal shift, it Read more >

2017 CPI: SA back to the position of five years ago

Released today, Transparency International’s (TI) Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) 2017 shows a high corruption burden in more than two-thirds of the 180 countries surveyed – and anti-corruption action is not keeping pace. Despite global attempts to combat corruption, the majority of countries are moving too slowly in their efforts, says TI. While stemming the tide Read more >

Full text: President Ramaphosa’s maiden SoNA

Speaker of the National Assembly, Ms Baleka Mbete, Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, Ms Thandi Modise, Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and Deputy Chairperson of the NCOP, Former President Thabo Mbeki, Former Deputy President FW de Klerk, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng and all esteemed members of the judiciary, Ministers and Deputy Ministers, Read more >