Racketeering charges may seem like just another charge among many, but they can be used to secure convictions of corrupt high-ranking officials who steal public money for personal enrichment
It is time to consider and define the theft and corruption of disaster relief funding as a crime against humanity, a treason against the people, writes the Daily Maverick in an editorial. The latest shameless show of greed centres on donations meant for rescue efforts after the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal. It wasn’t long before the vultures were circling.
The Political Party Funding Act was enforced on 1 April 2021. The legislation has been largely welcomed as it seeks, among others, to limit the control private donors have over political parties – however, it is already in danger of being amended, through a push by the governing ANC for more lenient requirements.
With millions of rands of relief funds allocated to address the damage caused by recent severe floods in KwaZulu-Natal, the ever-present threat of corrupt and improper use of those funds must not be ignored. Corruption Watch has warned that transparency and strict monitoring must be a feature of the distribution of the relief funds, lest the rampant and shameless looting that characterised the use of Covid-19 emergency resources happens again.
Corruption Watch’s Project Larona aims to contribute to addressing income and wealth inequality related to land rights, land reform, and access to natural resources, by ensuring that those living in traditional areas are able to have a greater say over the decisions affecting their land. As part of the project, we provide access here to summaries of court cases which specify the key rights available to these vulnerable groups.
Who is responsible for the catastrophe that is Delmore East Ext2? Residents claim they were duped by banks that approved their home loans without due diligence checks on the sustainability of the land. Their houses, built on sinkholes and a wetland, pose a real threat to inhabitants, who are now taking on the banks and developers in a civil case.
Driving licence test centre officials, in collusion with driving school practitioners, to bend the rules as and when they see fit, for their personal benefit – and why not, seeing that some earn up to R22 000 a day. But the lack of immediate consequences for this attitude, writes Zanele Fengu, is that for every forward step in policy and technology to advance the eradication of corruption and fraud, there will be unfortunate concessions to accommodate those who use intimidation and force to secure their demands.
The World Justice Project’s latest Rule of Law index, released for 2021, shows that more countries declined than improved in overall rule of law performance. South Africa is one of the former, languishing in the middle ranks of the index where it has been since its debut seven years ago.
As Corruption Watch marks its 10th year of existence, its founder and former executive director David Lewis looks back on the last decade, pondering the challenges and triumphs experienced. He chats to senior journalist Moepeng Talane.