Local government gets the ‘zero’ treatment

Local government, that is municipalities, are responsible for providing the most basic, yet essential services in this country – housing, sewage facilities, waste management, roads, water sanitation and key public security functions, among many others. When the financial units of these institutions are shown to be riddled with mismanagement, lack of accountability and corruption, service Read more >

Corruption Watch is hiring!

We're currently advertising three available posts at Corruption Watch – (1) Data and Analysis Manager, (2) Journalist and (3) Communications Officer. Apply by submitting a covering letter motivating your application for the position, a detailed CV, three contactable references and, in the case of application (2), two examples of published print articles (preferably investigative or Read more >

Anti-graft regulations: how to ensure compliance

SA’s latest anti-corruption weapon Section 43 of the regulations:   Section 43 of the regulations, accompanying the Companies Act, brings South Africa into line with an agreement with the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), which requires that certain measures be taken to combat and prevent corruption.   South Africa and 142 other countries Read more >

New anti-graft rules: SA firms to take note

By Chantelle Benjamin South African firms are now accountable for the actions of the companies they contract to when it comes to corruption and are prohibited from funding political parties, according to new regulations for the Company Act, issued quietly last year. Read the guidelines to ensure regulations compliance here. Local companies are also bound Read more >

AG’s report paints grim view of local govt

Auditor-general Terence Nombembe gave a grim view of financial management at local government level this week, with just 30% of municipalities making progress in addressing internal control disciplines. Nombembe said he “remains concerned about 70% of municipalities where the basics of key controls have not yet been mastered”. Nombembe tabled his 2010-11 general reports on Read more >

AG’s report paints grim view of local govt

Auditor-general Terence Nombembe gave a grim view of financial management at local government level this week, with just 30% of municipalities making progress in addressing internal control disciplines. Nombembe said he “remains concerned about 70% of municipalities where the basics of key controls have not yet been mastered”. Nombembe tabled his 2010-11 general reports on Read more >

Moss Phakoe’s spirit must galvanise us – Vavi

On March 14 2009, Moss Phakoe – a beloved husband, son, brother and father, a dedicated trade unionist and a committed ANC councillor – was gunned down, aged 52, in his car in Rustenburg as he arrived home after putting up posters for the ANC election campaign. Moss Phakoe started as a shop steward at Read more >

Gunned down for blowing the whistle

Corruption can be a matter of life and death, as it was for this week’s posthumous hero Moss Phakoe, an ANC councillor who was murdered in 2009 after blowing the whistle on alleged corruption in Rustenburg municipality, North West. This is a man who most probably thought he was serving the country when he handed Read more >

Corruption Watch flooded with state school complaints

By Zaheer Cassim When a public official steals millions of rand through nepotism and shady deals, there is generally a public outcry for that person to be removed from office. Sadly, this same zeal for justice does not filter down to public schools, where thousands of learners are short-changed by corrupt principals and teachers. Over Read more >