Venerable child welfare organisation under scrutiny

A sanctuary for children without families and homes, that has been around for over 100 years, and throughout its existence has provided solace to many children from impoverished families and many who are orphaned and in desperate need of a home. This is how those who are familiar with the Johannesburg Child Welfare (JCW) have Read more >

Youth learn from their elders about corruption

By Lauren Tracey First published on ISS A lack of accountability by senior officials and politicians, combined with perceptions of high levels of corruption, could prove detrimental to the future prospects of young South Africans. Fraud and corruption cost the South African economy billions annually, but the impact of fraud and corruption is felt well Read more >

Young: fake prices, conflict of interest, and more

By Lee-Ann Alfreds Whistleblower Richard Young recalled in his second day on the stand the exact moment he realised the irregularities being perpetrated in the arms deal – the beginning of July 1998. Testifying at the Arms Procurement Commission which is investigating allegations of fraud and corruption in South Africa’s 1999, R71-billion deal, Young – Read more >

Still no resolution for Sassa grants tender

The legal woes surrounding South Africa’s multi-billion rand social grant tender are far from over. The deadline for submissions for the South African Social Security Agency’s (Sassa) social grants tender has been suspended, which means the country is no closer to getting a new distributor of grants. This is despite a Constitutional Court (ConCourt) ruling Read more >

A relentless fight against impunity

For years Angolan investigative journalist and activist Rafael Marques de Morais has toiled to expose corruption and human rights violations in that country. His hard-hitting blog Maka Angola is widely considered to be the authority on corruption, including nepotism and money laundering, in Angola. “Maka” is “problem” in the local language of Kimbundu. The 44-year-old Read more >

Fake degrees not the key to success

Saxen van Coller is the Dube TradePort CEO who was recently suspended by the KwaZulu-Natal government's business initiative, after questions arose about her academic qualifications. If she is found to have indeed faked her qualifications in order to occupy such an important position, her name will join those of over 600 other public servants who have Read more >

Govt supplier database set to curb corruption

By Lloyd Gedye First published in Mail & Guardian The national treasury is launching a central supplier database and a central e-tender portal next month in a bid to fight corruption and make government procurement more efficient and cost-effective. In 2013/2014, the public sector spent R500-billion on goods, services and construction. Government itself has admitted Read more >

More protection needed for whistleblowers

The Open Democracy Advice Centre (Odac) is proud to announce the launch of its latest piece of extensive research on the lived experience of South African whistleblowers, titled Heroes Under Fire. Whistleblowers in South Africa are under threat as never before. A deepening culture of impunity and lack of accountability is making it harder for them Read more >

CW handbook on SGB elections now available

Download our new handbook which will help you to make the right choices in the upcoming school governing body elections. There are over 24 000 public schools across South Africa, and from Friday 6 March to Saturday 28 March, each one will go to the polls to elect school governing bodies (SGBs) to oversee the running of Read more >