CORRUPTION NEWS

Corrupt police abuse, exploit sex workers

By Zaheer Cassim Sex workers are made extremely vulnerable by corruption in the police force, needing protection from officers who demand sex or money from them. This emerged from the 2012 Cosatu Gender Conference in Johannesburg on Tuesday 27 March, where the decriminalization of sex work was discussed. Sally-Jean Shackleton, director of the Sex Worker Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Is new police watchdog facing old problems?

By Chantelle Benjamin Researchers into law enforcement are concerned that the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID), a new police watchdog set to replace the existing Independent Complaints Directorate in April, is not sufficiently resourced or structured to deal effectively with corruption and other crimes. According to Gareth Newham of the Institute for Security Studies (ISS), Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

‘Shining light on graft is the best cure’

28 March 2012 – Corruption Watch delivered a strong message to parliament yesterday during the final round of public hearings on the Info Bill, arguing that the best weapon to defeat corruption is an informed public. Executive director David Lewis said “sunlight is the best disinfectant” when targeting multiple acts of corruption and that the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Sekunjalo: Minister avoiding prickly issues?

By Chantelle Benjamin   26 March 2012 – A communication blackout following the announcement of a probe into tender practices by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has led to concerns of irregularities being covered up.   Democratic Alliance MP and spokesperson on Fisheries Pieter van Dalen said he was concerned Agriculture, Forestry and Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Call to probe ‘rot’ in Gauteng housing scheme

By Chantelle Benjamin 22 March 2012 – Gross irregularities in Gauteng’s government housing scheme, particularly the allocation of more than R7-million in subsidies, have prompted calls by the province’s Standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) for a forensic investigation. A report by Scopa showed that a number of people had benefited from the subsidies, without Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Take back your rights – report corruption

20 March 2012 – Corruption Watch urges you to report complaints so you can hold the country's leaders accountable and take back your rights. South Africa’s Constitution is world-renowned for protecting every basic human entitlement through its Bill of Rights, which “enshrines the rights of all people in our country and affirms the democratic values Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Public Protector to investigate Motlanthe’s partner

By Chantelle Benjamin 20 March 2012 – Public Protector Adv Thulisile Madonsela said she will hold a preliminary probe into allegations that Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe's partner Gugu Mtshali was involved in an attempt to solicit a bribe for government support for a R2-billion deal sanctions busting deal with Iran.  There was some concern that the investigation would not go ahead after Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Special unit leads to 16 arrests in Western Cape

By Chantelle Benjamin 16 March 2012 – The Western Cape government's efforts to combat fraud and corruption are yielding results, with the work of its specialised unit leading to the arrest of 16 people, including former health department employees, in George. The Western Cape's Forensic Investigation Unit, which is unique in that it partners with Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Gauteng speaker investigated for tender, funds

15 March 2012 – A full investigation is underway into speaker of the Gauteng Legislature Lindiwe Maseko’s conduct, after media reports on alleged conflict of interest relating to a tender and the misuse of public funds. The investigation, formally announced on Friday 2 March, is being run by the Legislature’s Integrity Commissioner. It is headed Read more >