The unprecedented removal of Busisiwe Mkhwebane as public protector highlights the importance of selecting the right person for a job – especially one of such importance – through a rigorous process that disregards party or cadre issues and focuses solely on merit and suitability. Since 2016 Corruption Watch has been campaigning for such processes to become the norm in government leadership appointments.
The newly launched National Inclusive Safer Schools Programme promises to make the schools environment a safer and healthier one, with its focus on building an inclusive culture in and around schools. The programme is a partnership between the Department of Basic Education and, among others, the German development agency GIZ.
On 20 September 2023, Corruption Watch and procurement expert Prof Geo Quinot, of Stellenbosch University, will launch the third in the organisation’s series of Procurement Watch reports. The launch will take place during a webinar where Quinot will will unpack trends observed in public procurement deviations and expansions as well as developments in the lists of tender defaulters and restricted suppliers respectively.
South Africa’s justice and correctional services minster Ronald Lamola and Catherine Colonna, the French foreign affairs minister, recently signed a co-operation protocol agreement which will boost the capacity of the Special Investigating Unit to fight cyber-crime. In addition, under the agreement a regional academy will be set up to train Southern African cyber investigators.
The Procurement Reform Working Group, an association of civil society organisations, has issued a statement highlighting various critical issues that must be addressed urgently. Among these are the group’s concerns that the current regulatory framework is too complex, and that complexity plays a big role in public procurement dysfunctionality.
Leading government comes with responsibilities that politicians do not always appear to grasp, writes Moepeng Valencia Talane for CW Voices – especially the broad principle of accountability when things go wrong. In recent years, politicians – particularly those in the ruling party – have often missed the opportunity to admit failures in governance, instead invoking what many call the ‘apartheid card’. It’s an unfortunate trend for which they are forgiven a lot, and it does not take us forward as a country.
Launched on World Environment Day (5 June) this year, new French-based civil society organisation Climate Whistleblowers aims to throw its weight behind protecting those who speak out against perpetrators who worsen the climate crisis, and ensuring that their exposures make a difference.
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme is embroiled in a fresh set of controversies – one that is affecting the prospects of students to finish their education. The nonchalant attitude at the scheme, and the long-standing corruption, should be of huge concern for those who serve oversight on it, since they are the same people who, year after year, promise financial relief to the underprivileged.
Corruption Watch has submitted comments on the justice department’s proposed changes to the legislative whistle-blower protection regime. Any changes, says the organisation, have to acknowledge whistle-blowers as the focal point, and the objective to ensure their broadest possible protection should be a foundational principle of the legislation and the starting point for the drafting of any definitions.
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.