Freedom of expression underpins all other freedoms, says Unesco, custodian of World Press Freedom Day, which marks three decades of existence this year. “This year’s special 30th anniversary celebration is a call to recentre press freedom, as well as independent, pluralistic, and diverse media, as necessary key to the enjoyment of all other human rights.”
Freedom of expression is a fundamental human right, enshrined in legal instruments all around the world. The 30th celebration, on 3 May, of World Press Freedom Day provides an opportunity to emphasise the role of freedom of expression and media freedom as enablers of all other human rights, and to underscore the indivisible, interdependent, and interrelated nature of all human rights.
Veteran television and film producer Duma Ndlovu will not receive the prestigious National Order of Ikhamanga. Following a countrywide outcry over the artist’s implication in state capture, President Cyril Ramaphosa withdrew the nomination – but questions must be asked as to how Ndlovu passed muster in the first place.
Without effective criminal investigation and prosecution of those alleged to have taken part in the illicit crimes that South Africa committed to fighting with the Financial Action Task Force, the country runs the risk of being viewed as doomed to fail in bringing corruption under control. The state’s recent double state capture-related failure – the Nulane trial, and the FATF greylisting – highlight the many gaps that exist in its ability to tackle the problem.
In this article, Transparency International highlights the anti-corruption work of four courageous women around the world, including a young attorney who, until very recently, was one of our colleagues at CW.
The need for relevant authorities to have access to beneficial ownership records was not provided for in South Africa’s anti-money laundering framework, writes Eric Jordaan for Moneyweb, and this contributed to the country’s recent greylisting by the Financial Action Task Force. However, recent amendments to the Companies Act aim to regulate the disclosure by companies of those who are ultimately (directly or indirectly) in control of the company.
Now retired, judges Willie Seriti and Hendrick Musi presided over a deeply flawed arms deal commission of inquiry 10 years ago, and ever since then have sought to evade accountability for their questionable conduct. Now, a High Court judgment has dismissed their frivolous application arguing that retired judges should not be included in the Judicial Service Commission Act’s definition of a judge and therefore should not be subject to disciplinary procedures.
The Health Sector Anti-Corruption Forum (HSACF) – of which Corruption Watch is a member – is playing an important role in uncovering corruption in South Africa’s health sector. Since 2019, 29 allegations of corruption that were referred to the HSACF resulted in formal investigations by the Special Investigating Unit, and over 100 officials have been referred for disciplinary action. In addition, the forum has referred 30 cases to the National Prosecuting Authority.
Journalists are being murdered and intimidated across the African continent, writes Ghanaian investigative journo Anas Aremeyaw Anas for The Guardian – but impunity ensures that those responsible are not held to account. “In 2022, close to 60 journalists in Africa were assaulted, imprisoned, abducted, or forced into exile.”