Entries by Corruption Watch

Tshwane introduces new e-commerce portal, aims to reduce corruption

The City of Tshwane’s new e-commence and procurement portal aims to boost the fight against corruption within the procurement system, enable faster and more efficient procurement, and facilitate better value for public money. The system will minimise human intervention in procurement and track the performance and delivery of contracted suppliers, among other features.

Edelman research: business the most trusted institution in the world in 2024

Business is the most trusted sector in the world, above NGOs, media, and governments, according to the 2024 Edelman Trust Barometer, released by global communications firm Edelman earlier this year. The survey also revealed that developing countries have a much greater overall trust rating in the four institutions than developed countries, and the UK was the worst of the latter, finding itself at the bottom of the table in terms of overall trust levels.

What procurement data can tell us about procrastination

CW’s Kirsten Pearson recently undertook an analysis of the levels of public spending over the past financial year. She found a spike in new contracts, as well as in authorised deviations and expansions, in the few months before financial year-end – and particularly in November and December 2023. This year-end spending surge is likely to result in unwise procurement decisions as departments rush to use unspent funds to avoid having to give them back to Treasury.

Public service professionalisation has begun to take shape

The mammoth task of professionalising the public service is gathering momentum. The National Assembly recently passed the Public Administration Management Amendment Bill and the Public Service Amendment Bill, while the Department of Public Service and Administration has also published a new directive to guide departments in implementing the professionalisation framework which was launched in October 2022.