Public participation in government can take many forms. One of these forms is when members of the public contribute to the development of laws that affect them – this is their right and duty. There are various opportunities for comment at the moment, and we present a few of them here. Make your voice heard!
Making a submission for a piece of legislation may seem daunting, but it is important for members of the public to raise their concerns or make suggestions for improvement while the law is in development, so that the final product provides for everyone’s needs. Here’s how to go about it.
Malawian journalist Gregory Gondwe recently blew the whistle on a questionable government transaction for military vehicles. He was immediately targeted by police and military police and is now in hiding. His perilous situation is sadly typical of the risks faced by journalists around the world who expose corruption, but Gondwe says his commitment remains firm.
Steinhoff continues to refuse to provide access to a 7 000-page PwC report that uncovers much of its shady doings, writes Caroline James for amaBhungane. This hampers journalists’ ability to tell the full story – and means that citizens and pensioners, the victims of his actions, will not know how or why their savings took the colossal knock they did.
South Africa has achieved its lowest-ever score on the Corruption Perceptions Index, released on 30 January 2024 by Transparency International. Scoring a miserable 41, the country falls below the global average and now sits in the category of ‘flawed democracies’.
The Parliamentary Monitoring Group’s 2023 review of Parliament includes discussion of a March motion of no confidence against National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the cabinet reshuffle in the same month, the removal of the former public protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane, and internal disciplinary matters, among many others.
The Independent Electoral Commission will hold its second – and final – voter registration weekend on Saturday and Sunday, 3 and 4 February 2024. Registration will be possible at 22 300 voting stations countrywide, between 08h00 and 17h00, on both days.
Welcome to our first update of the year on all things state capture and the state capture commission and the implementations of its recommendations. This update includes the investigation into Judge Nana Makhubele’s fitness to hold office, SAP’s R2.2-billion restitution payment, Sars’ efforts to extract accountability from Gupta associate Salim Essa, and investigations into auditing companies that may have aided the Guptas.
Transparency International releases its annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) on Tuesday, 30 January 2024. The 2023 CPI will assess how countries have responded to corruption over time, with a specific focus on how weakening justice systems contribute to a lack of accountability for public officials, thereby allowing corruption to thrive.
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.