HEROES & ZEROES

Shady past, good job

​Our zero this week is the government, for not living up to claims of fighting corruption. This week it appointed a new mayoral committee member in Madibeng municipality – and he was previously one of the guilty parties in the Travelgate scandal of 2006/2006. The thieves – MPs and travel agents – ran a scam involving fraudulent travel arrangements Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The arms deal – new mini-site

Formally known as the Strategic Defence Package, the arms deal, to use its notorious nickname, was a multi-billion-rand military acquisition project finalised in 1999 by the South African government. If allegations of large-scale bribery and corruption currently under investigation by a top-level commission are proven true, it will be the biggest corruption scandal in the Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Corruption hinders SA’s economic freedom

The 2014 Index of Economic Freedom, published recently by Washington’s Heritage Foundation in partnership with the Wall Street Journal, shows that corruption in South Africa is having an impact on economic freedom in the country. The index probes 10 freedoms in 186 countries and for the 2014 survey, most data covers the second half of 2012 Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The arms deal: what you need to know

Browse the mini-site: What is the arms deal? What equipment was bought? When did it all go down? Who were the people involved? Allegations of corruption What is the Seriti Commission? Useful resources Updates and analysis Formally known as the Strategic Defence Package, the arms deal, to use its notorious nickname, was a multi-billion-rand military Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

A list of useful resources

A list of some useful resources relating to the arms deal: Websites: The Arms Deal Virtual Press Office – Richard Young The Parliamentary Monitoring Group Government Communication and Information System The Shadow World, an exposé of the global arms trade Arms deal coverage on eNCA Arms deal coverage on Mail & Guardian Amabhungane’s arms deal cache The Arms Procurement Commission Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Off the hook – for now

Our zeroes this week are the state investigators who, by failing to meet a deadline to submit results of a forensic investigation to the Durban Commercial Crimes Court, forfeited their fraud and corruption case, and probably the taxpayer's money, against Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane. It remains to be seen whether or not the National Prosecuting Authority Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Why is corruption getting worse in South Africa?

Gareth Newham As the world remembers the passing of global icon Nelson Mandela, the fact that he was a man of principle is a clear element of his success as a leader and overall greatness. He understood the vital importance of the constitutional principles of accountability and the rule of law. He not only said Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Reinstating Mpisane charges is Nxasana’s call

Corruption Watch reporter The decision on whether or not fraud and corruption charges against Durban businesswoman Shauwn Mpisane will be reinstated lies with the national director of public prosecutions Mxolisi Nxasana, who is yet to examine a report from the prosecution team on reasons for withdrawing the case. The Durban Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Timeline of the arms deal

This is not an exhaustive list of every event connected to the arms deal, but it encompasses the main events. Source: Paul Holden’s The Arms Deal in Your Pocket, with additions from newspaper reports. October 1995: The South African Air Force (SAAF) reviews what it needs, and decides that it only needs to replace one tier of jets: the Read more >