Amantungwa: a comprehensive timeline

1963 – The late William Khumalo became chief of Amantungwa clan after his father’s death and ruled until his died in 1963. He left four sons, Johan Madende, Gadi, Girsten and Simon Mgobo. Enoch Jele Khumalo was appointed as acting chief after William death and he was succeeded by yet another acting chief, Cain Khumalo Read more >

More about Utrecht and its people

Utrecht background:   Utrecht is a small rural town 50km outside Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. Coal mining, farming and cattle ranching are the predominant economic activities in the area. As a result of the closure of mines such as Durnacol, Spring Lake Collieries and Balgray Collieries, many residents have had to leave their homes in search Read more >

Another textbooks court battle ‘inevitable’

By Chantelle Benjamin It’s back to court for Section27 and the National Department of Basic Education, with the lobby group saying it will lodge papers in the North Gauteng High Court in the next few weeks after trying “everything not to return to court, but it has become apparent that it’s inevitable”, according to the Read more >

The dark heart of Utrecht

For many the idea of living in the countryside conjures up images of peace and serenity – and this can be felt while driving through the vast open lands of the Amantungwa clan in Utrecht, 50km outside Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal. You can immediately feel the tranquillity there. But beneath the façade of pastoral bliss is Read more >

Bribery: it just doesn’t pay

By Zaheer Cassim For some South Africans paying a bribe is the efficient way to get things done. It’s a basic transaction whereby someone provides a service and, in return, is compensated. But this is no lawful contract and many people are learning the hard way that dealing with corrupt individuals through bribery is not Read more >

Joburg shows us its bribery-beating plan

Corruption Watch met with senior officials from the City of Joburg recently to advocate for urgent and stronger action against corruption and bribery in the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). The meeting was a follow up on the April launch of Corruption Watch’s ‘No more tjo-tjo campaign’ and the release of ‘The law for sale’ Read more >

Whistleblowers: champions of our times

Silence is golden – or so goes the expression, but at what cost does it come in the face of rampant corruption? This is the question three South Africans may have asked themselves as they took the risk of deliberately exposing rot in government structures. All three must have known that their whistleblowing could have Read more >

Gauteng ‘big spenders’ probe results out

By Chantelle Benjamin Over the months we’ve been bringing you updates on the investigations into Gauteng Local Government and Housing MEC Humphrey Mmemezi and Speaker Lindiwe Maseko, who both came under fire for alleged misuse of public funds. The latest is that the province’s integrity commissioner Ralph Mgijima and the provincial privileges and ethics committee Read more >

Local government gets the ‘zero’ treatment

Local government, that is municipalities, are responsible for providing the most basic, yet essential services in this country – housing, sewage facilities, waste management, roads, water sanitation and key public security functions, among many others. When the financial units of these institutions are shown to be riddled with mismanagement, lack of accountability and corruption, service Read more >