HEROES & ZEROES

State makes the right moves

With the announcement of a revised code of ethics for members of parliament and proclamations for corruption investigations by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) by President Jacob Zuma – both of which were made this week – the leadership of the South African government made a good showing in steps to curb and unearth corruption Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

OECD convention not just a nice-to-have

Dear Corruption Watch, I recently came across a report damning our lack of compliance with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention that South Africa ratified in 2007. It says out of a mere ten foreign bribery allegations that have come to light our government has prosecuted exactly zero. We have until October to write a self-assessment report. What is the OECD convention Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Local government, the way it should be

Efficiency by government departments and entities is not only promised as part of the Constitution, but it is also expected by citizens who rely on the state to deliver certain services. Local government is particularly critical to the happiness of its communities. Our hero this week is a small municipality in the Free State district Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Public paying for vacant buildings

Taxpayers in South Africa have been paying for buildings leased to government but not being used for public office functions. The Department of Public Works (DPW) has been forking out rent to the tune of R5-million a month for over 100 buildings that are not occupied by public officials, and for the lack of oversight Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

No faith in Faith

In February 2014 public protector Thuli Madonsela published a report on maladministration and abuse of power at the SABC. Titled When Governance and Ethics Fail, it highlighted, among other things, the irregular appointment of the state broadcaster’s acting COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng, and pointed out that he lacked the required qualifications for the job. The report Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Motsoeneng does it again

Our zero this week is the acting COO of the SABC, the outspoken and controversial Hlaudi Motsoeneng, for suggesting that the media are only focusing on corruption because the country has a black-led government. His statement was made at the annual Joburg Radio Days conference that’s taking place at Wits. As was the case with Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

NW premier aims to clamp down on corruption

Our hero this week is the new premier of the North West province, Supra Mahumapelo, for taking a positive stance in improving standards of governance. He’s just announced his intention to set up a forensic and fraud investigations unit to tackle corruption in the province. Mahumapelo urged all members of his executive council to report Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

The proverbial new broom?

Our hero this week is the Gauteng Department of Education, which seems to have gained a new lease on life under recently appointed premier David Makhura. In May he announced his 10-member cabinet, including former education spokesperson Panyaza Lesufi, who's now education MEC. Lesufi has wasted no time in coming to the defence of pupils Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Suspected license crook walks free

A former licensing station chief, accused of masterminding a fake license racket, has been acquitted in the Eshowe Regional Court, along with some of those who were alleged to be involved in the syndicate. The prosecution is our zero for this week for failing to deliver a good enough case to secure a conviction. Richie Read more >