Entries by Corruption Watch

Illicit financial flows again in the spotlight

28 August 2025 in , /by

The G20 Development Working Group has released a document outlining its call to action for countries to adopt a new set of voluntary and non-binding high-level principles for combating illicit financial flows. The group urges countries to intensify their efforts to clamp down on illicit flows through a multi-faceted approach which includes strengthening financial regulatory systems and revenue management, leveraging technology, and adopting and effectively implementing anti-corruption measures – among others.

Madlanga commission will sit in Pretoria from 1 September

21 August 2025 in , /by

UPDATE: The Madlanga commission – or more properly, the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into criminality, political interference, and corruption in the Criminal Justice System – has announced that the scheduled start of hearings on 1 September will be delayed, because of procurement issues.
The commission is chaired by retired Constitutional Court justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga.

She knew too much: why Babita Deokaran had to die

20 August 2025 in , , /by

Slain whistle-blower Babita Deokaran knew the truth – and she paid the ultimate price for her knowledge. In his new book The Shadow State, investigative journalist Jeff Wicks delves deep into the circumstances surrounding Deokaran’s murder, showing the intricate web of shell companies, inflated prices, and collusive bidding linked to the Gauteng Department of Health. To date no officials have been held accountable, and her family is denied justice.

UN adopts resolution linking corruption and human rights violations

14 August 2025 in , /by

The UN General Assembly, during its 59th session held in July 2025, confirmed what Corruption Watch and many other organisations and individuals around the world already know – that corruption and the violation of fundamental human rights are inextricably linked. The UN Human Rights Council adopted, by consensus, a resolution titled The negative impact of corruption on the enjoyment of human rights and called on governments to take steps to tackle the situation.

Justice for Fishrot victims once more delayed

14 August 2025 in , /by

Defendants in Namibia’s largest ever corruption case have again escaped answering for their crimes, writes Richard Messick for the Global Anticorruption Blog. The long-awaited trial has been delayed numerous times because at every opportunity, the accused have turned rules meant to ensure criminal trials are fairly conducted into weapons for postponing theirs.

In South Africa, bribery has become our currency

12 August 2025 in , , /by

A culture of bribery is destroying South Africa’s soul, turning integrity into a commodity and honour into myth, writes Kekeletso Nakeli in this heartfelt opinion piece. In essence, she says, we are teaching our children that credibility can be bought. “We have fostered a corrupt society; it is evident that the brown envelope culture comes from the corridors of power.”

Women’s parly committee set on process reforms following CGE ruling

11 August 2025 in , , /by

Earlier this month the Constitutional Court rule found the appointment process of five commissioners to the Commission for Gender Equality, undertaken in 2022, invalid as it offered inadequate public participation. The court ordered the process to be re-run within 12 months. Accordingly, Parliament’s portfolio committee on women, youth and persons with disabilities plans to start a new appointment process in September.