The UN’s World Drug Report 2020 shows that drug markets are reported to be increasing especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. What’s more, drug markets will flourish in the coming years because of insufficient policy attention on the increasing illicit trade of drugs in South Africa and other parts of the continent. In part one of our two-part mini-series, we take a closer look at the recently released report.
The Southern African Anti-corruption Network – which includes Corruption Watch – has condemned in a press statement the heavy-handed treatment of peaceful anti-corruption protesters in Zimbabwe. The network reminds Zimbabwe of its obligations under various regional, continental and international human rights instruments and treaties, and demands that authorities cease to violate protesters’ rights.
An amendment to the Ipid Act is in motion, and this will address gaps and weaknesses. At a meeting in July of the parliamentary portfolio committee of police, chairperson Tine Joemat-Petterson revealed that her office has started the process of drafting an amendment bill – and she has already seen the first draft.
Numerous reports of personal protection equipment tenders worth millions have surfaced in the media recently, and corruption allegations have been levelled against high-profile government officials. Caroline James and Karam Jeet Singh of CW’s legal and investigations unit ask government to make procurement information freely accessible to help fight corruption during the Covid-19 pandemic. This measure has worked well in Nigeria and Ukraine, and we would do well to implement it.
The Special Investigating Unit is making steady – albeit slow – progress in its probes into alleged corruption and maladministration at the Department of Water and Sanitation and various entities attached to it. The amounts of money involved are mind-boggling. Towards the end of June the SIU briefed the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts on its work in this regard.
The parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on the Appointment of the Auditor-General has met to discuss Corruption Watch’s submission regarding this crucial position. The committee had sought a legal opinion on the document, which concluded that our recommendations are constitutional and in line with MPs’ duties and obligations. It was advised to accept and implement all of our recommendations – with a few modifications.
Civil society organisations have expressed anger over allegations of corruption in the awarding of PPE tenders were reported by the media. The organisations, including CW, have called for consequences for those found guilty, and the return of all funds stolen.
One of civil society’s crucial functions is to monitor government performance and make recommendations where necessary. But instead of rectifying issues to ensure better governance, the messenger is shot, writes Wayne Duvenage, CEO of Outa. Or the real and substantive issues are deflected with a deft display of ostrich mentality… if we ignore the problems for long enough, they must surely disappear.
The one major challenge that stands in the way of inclusive growth and sustainable development in Africa, is the nature, scale and complexity of corruption, write Stellenbosch Uni academics Prof Pregala Pillay (Economic and Management Sciences) and Dr Chris Jones (Unit for Moral Leadership).
Visit our GivenGain R20 for Change page and help us demand transparency in our systems, accountability in our leaders, and better empowerment and protection of whistle-blowers. By donating R20 a month, you’ll be supporting our work with communities across the country, helping them to know and access their rights and reduce the corruption that robs people of resources intended for their benefit.