Entries by Corruption Watch

Comment on National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill

The parliamentary portfolio committee on women, youth and persons with disabilities is calling for written comments on the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill, which is currently before the National Assembly. The bill seeks to establish an independent, multi-sectoral national council which will co-ordinate and implement a coherent national strategic plan to end gender-based violence and femicide.

We must protect those who fight corruption

The recent shocking double murder of prominent insolvency practitioner Cloete Murray and his son Tom is yet another atrocity in an ever-lengthening list of those who are violently silenced, writes Corruption Watch’s executive director Karam Singh. Professionals working to enforce consequences for financial misconduct must now also be included among those requiring special protections.

Auditor-General welcomes withdrawal of Eskom exemption

Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke and others have welcomed the decision to withdraw the controversial exemption of Eskom from having to disclose information of irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure in its financial statements, for three years. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced the about-face during a joint meeting of several parliamentary standing committees on Wednesday.

Zim to investigate gold smuggling after Al Jazeera expose

Only two parts of Al Jazeera’s explosive four-part investigative series on gold smuggling out of Zimbabwe have been aired, but officials from that country are scurrying to delve deeper into the allegations. The series, titled Gold Mafia, exposes gold smuggling from Zimbabwe involving high-ranking officials. The two remaining parts air on 6 and 13 April, respectively.

CW to release 2022 annual corruption report

Corruption Watch will release its 11th annual corruption report, Accelerating justice, on Tuesday, 4 April 2023. The report will highlight a wide range of focus areas during 2022, and will also include the most commonly reported types of corruption over the year, as well as initiatives around whisttle-blower support and protection, and work to improve access to justice for communities most impacted by corruption.

Beneficial ownership transparency in Africa slowly gaining ground

Beneficial ownership transparency in Africa is gaining ground. A report released recently by the Tax Justice Network shows that at the start of 2023, 23 of 54 African countries have in place laws and regulations requiring the real people – the beneficial owners – behind legal vehicles to disclose themselves to a government authority.