Entries by Corruption Watch

Simelane’s VBS nightmare not over, as questions not satisfactorily answered

11th September 2024 in , /by

Justice minister Thembi Simelane did not impress members of the portfolio committee on justice, when she appeared before them to answer questions relating to a loan she obtained from a company linked to VBS Bank. Simelane, who was Polokwane mayor at the time, also oversaw an unauthorised investment of R349-million of municipal money into the bank – it was withdrawn before the VBS crash on the advice of a new municipal manager.

Deadline extended for public submissions on electoral reform

9th September 2024 in , /by

The electoral reform consultation panel, established under the Electoral Reform Act, invites members of the public, and organisations including political parties or prospective independent candidates, to make written submissions on proposals for an electoral system for the National Assembly and provincial legislatures. The closing date for written submissions is 31 October 2024, having been extended from the original date of 30 September 2024.

Afrobarometer: Democracy at risk – the people’s perspective

6th September 2024 in , /by

A new Afrobarometer report shows that democracy in Africa is under siege, though it still has robust support across the continent and remains resilient. Corruption stands out as one of the biggest hurdles for democracy, and most ordinary Africans think it is getting worse. Data from 39 countries shows that on average, 58% of citizens say corruption levels in their countries increased over the past year, including 82% in South Africa. Only three countries (Benin, Mali, and Zambia) showed a majority view that corruption decreased.

Former Prasa engineer Mtimkulu gets 15 years for fraud

5th September 2024 in , /by

Bogus Prasa engineer Daniel Mtimkulu has been sentenced to 15 years’ jail time for falsifying his qualifications and submitting a fake job offer from a German firm to get his salary increased. The former head of engineering at the state passenger rail agency claimed to have various degrees, including a doctorate, but in reality has only matric. His deception cost the agency billions in rolling stock that did not meet South African standards of infrastructure.

Parly a place of no holy cows, as state capture-accused trio make entrance

4th September 2024 in , , , /by

Power-hungry politicians will always put themselves first, writes Moepeng Talane for CW Voices, so the likes of state capture-implicated Brian Molefe, Lucky Montana, and Siyabonga Gama now taking up careers as parliamentarians should not surprise us. Nor are they the first corruption-accused or -implicated individuals to take the oath as members of Parliament – it’s just more of the same old political game.

The JSC must play its strategic ‘Human Resources’ function

4th September 2024 in , /by

The Judicial Service Commission plays a crucial role in determining the shape, size, and competence of South Africa’s judiciary. In this piece, Judges Matter, a coalition that promotes transparency and accountability in the judiciary, argues that the JSC has a vital HR function to perform when selecting candidates for appointment to the position of judge – and it must have all the information needed to make the right decision.

CW board responds to allegations in recent Sunday World article

2nd September 2024 in , , /by

In the interests of transparency and accountability, the board of Corruption Watch wishes to respond to the unfounded and misleading allegations levelled against it that appeared in an article in Sunday World on 30 June 2024. The board understands and takes its fiduciary and oversight very seriously and has no business to defend any wrongdoing within the organisation.  

IDAC now a permanent anti-corruption unit in the NPA

28th August 2024 in , , /by

The commencement on 19 August of most of the National Prosecuting Authority Amendment Act, which establishes the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption as a permanent, independent unit within the NPA, has drawn mixed responses. The ANC touts it as a sign of South Africa’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards of governance and accountability, while others such as Adv Paul Hoffman go as far as saying the unit is unconstitutional.