CORRUPTION NEWS

Mexican citizens fight corruption via smartphones

By Antonio Garza The governor of Puebla stepped down in July, stuffing some $900 000 in his pockets on the way out. It’s not a particularly unusual occurrence in Mexico, and you’ve likely heard about similar cases taking place across the country. But if you missed this particular story, don’t worry too much — it Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The week that was: global view

President Jacob Zuma South Africa experienced a fascinating week, politically speaking, last week. As can be expected, the world was watching and some of the leading global news agencies reported on the events of the past few days, including “Guptagate” and the confirmation by Fifa -and later denial by South Africa – of a 2010 Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Zero leaves community with no water

On the same day that Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane pleaded with South Africans to pray for rain to end the current drought, a news report in the City Press highlighted the sad state of water supply in the town of Giyani in Limpopo. A tender that is reported to have cost taxpayers R170-million Read more >

LITIGATION

Zuma: Nxasana wanted to leave

Nine months after Mxolisi Nxasana resigned from his position, President Jacob Zuma says the former National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) head did what was best for South Africa by leaving his post. Nxasana resigned from the NPA abruptly last June amid controversy and while an inquiry into his fitness for office was under way. Zuma was Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Nation waits for Seriti report

The Arms Procurement Commission, also known as the Seriti Commission, submitted its final report covering four years of proceedings, just before the end of 2015. The deadline for the report’s submission was 31 December 2015, and the commission filed it on the 30th. At the start hopes were high that together, the witnesses would finally Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

$1-trillion-plus estimated to have left Africa illegally

by Khayalethu Hamana Over the past 50 years, Africa is estimated to have lost more than $1-trillion in illicit financial flows, but this may well fall short of reality, because accurate data does not exist for many countries. The estimates often exclude illicit flows, such as the proceeds of bribery and the trafficking of drugs, Read more >

NEWS

Community stands up for its rights

Until fairly recently, the small town of Barberton in Mpumalanga was not a regular feature in the news. It is home to a population of just under 70 000, with an estimated unemployment rate of about 26%, mostly affecting young people. The community was thrust into the spotlight last month when they challenged the planned merger Read more >

PUBLICATIONS

Annual report 2015: a year of intense public participation

In its annual report for 2015, released today, Corruption Watch highlights the power of public participation in the fight against corruption. Since we launched in January 2012, we’ve received more than 10 000 reports. This public activism was reflected in several events during 2015, such as the student fees protests, various anti-xenophobia and –corruption marches, Read more >

CAMPAIGNS

Bua Mzansi: The importance of the Public Protector

Described by our Supreme Court of Appeal as a “watchdog”, the Public Protector is also often compared to an ombudsman, which is an institution that originated in Sweden, created to ensure that public officials acted in terms of the law and discharged their duties properly. There are now a large number of such institutions around Read more >