Entries by Corruption Watch

SA has just two action items to resolve for grey list exit, says FATF

24th February 2025 in , /by

The Financial Action Task Force has deemed South Africa to have addressed or largely addressed 20 of the 22 action items in its plan for exiting the organisation’s grey list, said the National Treasury in a statement released on Friday 21 February. This means that there are just two items to be addressed in the next reporting period that runs from March 2025 to June 2025. “This would enable South Africa to be considered for delisting from the grey list in October 2025.”  

SA hopeful of exiting FATF grey list in 2025, two years after list debut

21st February 2025 in , /by

The Financial Action Task Force, the global anti-money laundering watchdog, is currently holding its annual February plenary in Paris and is expected to make a positive statement on South Africa’s grey list status. Accordingly, the country’s Companies and Intellectual Property Commission appeared before the parliamentary committee for Trade, Industry and Competition on 19 February to brief members on progress towards getting off the grey list, as far as its own contribution is concerned.

Pause in FCPA enforcement is dangerous, says TI

13th February 2025 in , /by

Transparency International’s secretariat and US chapter have both issued strong statements criticising President Donald Trump’s suspension of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, saying that it will empower and embolden criminals. The two organisations refute Trump’s claim that foreign bribery is a ‘routine’ business practice.

TI: Do not use Corruption Perceptions Index to mask democratic decline

10th February 2025 in , /by

Transparency International, who releases its 2024 Corruption Perceptions Index on 11 February, says countries should not use their scores to cover up declines in democracy. Some countries use their score on the index to create a distorted narrative around their anti-corruption activities, says the organisation, when in reality they are committing human rights violations and other atrocities.

Statement of SA civil society orgs in response to Trump’s threats

5th February 2025 in , , , /by

A group of prominent civil society organisations, all working in the human rights space in South Africa, have issued a statement decrying US president Donald Trump’s puzzling pronouncements on perceived happenings in the country. These include “confiscating land and treating certain classes of people very badly” – which the organisations have refuted in emphatic terms.

SIU wants lifestyle audits & background checks for Joburg, Tshwane officials

4th February 2025 in , /by

The Special Investigating Unit and the Auditor-General of South Africa briefed the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts on audit outcomes for a handful of municipalities including Johannesburg and Tshwane. At the same meeting, the Special Investigating Committee shared progress and results from various investigations into procurement at the municipalities.