A new policy paper from Transparency International addresses the land governance situation in Africa through the lens of corruption. It focuses on efforts by the African Union to address land corruption, most notably through the intergovernmental body’s 2023 Land Governance Strategy, and makes recommendations as to how the strategy can be more effectively used.
CSO Open Secrets recently released a report titled For Sale: South Africa’s Property Laundromat, which details how luxury real estate in South Africa has become a haven for laundering funds linked to land corruption across Africa. This lack of vigilance and accountability for the politically elite, says the organisation, means that processes that are meant to protect the reputation and integrity of South Africa’s governance systems are compromised.
South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20 on 19 November, and will occupy this influential position until December 2025. Transparency International has urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to seize this chance to prioritise anti-corruption, take a meaningful stand against illicit financial flows, and “break the chain” of complacency shown towards corruption in previous G20 presidential terms.
In this article by Julia Evans, public prosecutions head Shamila Batohi calls for a fundamental shift in how the country tackles corruption, emphasising the need for ethical leadership and systemic reform to prevent corruption from resurfacing. Batohi was speaking earlier this week at the 2024 Public Protector Conference.
Chapter 9 institution, broader powers, audit capabilities. These are some of the proposals the National Anti-Corruption Advisory Council has made in terms of a dedicated anti-corruption body for South Africa. The council made these proposals to President Cyril Ramaphosa in a mid-term report it submitted early this year – but the report is bogged down in red tape and is currently in limbo.
Advocate Paul Pretorius urges government to take a leaf out of Zondo’s book when it comes to independence and fairness, while Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka decries the absence of ethical leadership in the fight against corruption. Both addressed the recent state capture commission conference hosted by civil society.
Ahead of the 2024 G20 Rio de Janeiro summit, where leaders will meet to discuss matters of critical import for countries around the world, Transparency International’s chapters in G20 countries have written an open letter to the delegates, urging them to walk the talk on corruption and take action against threats such as illicit financial flows, inadequate beneficial ownership transparency, and financial secrecy. Read the letter here.
Corruption Watch, with Social Change Assistance Trust and Transparency International and co-funded by the European Union, is driving enhanced accountability in South Africa through the Strengthening Action Against Corruption (SAAC) Project. This initiative specifically targets community advice offices/civil society organisations in the Eastern Cape province, equipping them with the knowledge and resources needed to identify and address corruption, and mobilise their communities.
The Good Governance Academy, founded by former Supreme Court judge Mervyn King, focuses in its work mainly on the corporate sector. In November, however, it held its 12th colloquium under the theme of Enhancing governance and accountability in the public sector. The focus was on the role of the auditor-general in promoting good governance, and the guest panellists were South Africa’s Tsakani Maluleke and the UK’s Gareth Davies.