Corruption snapshot: 9 – 16 February

Zuma talks corruption in his nation address In his fourth State of the Nation Address in parliament on 9 February 2012, Zuma affirmed that fighting corruption would remain a priority for government. He announced that a multi-agency working group on procurement – led by treasury, the South African Revenue Service and the Financial Intelligence Centre Read more >

eThekwini under pressure to release full graft report

Opposition party the Democratic Alliance has given eThekwini’s Mayor James Nxumalo until Friday 17 February to provide it with the full Manase report into fraud, corruption and maladministration in the municipality – or it will apply legally for a copy.   The DA is concerned that the allegedly 700-page report will go the same way Read more >

Report: R2bn ‘irregular expenditure’ by eThekwini

A recently released report has revealed that eThekwini metro municipality, with an annual operating budget of close to R19-billon, has recorded irregular expenditure of R2,188-billion in the past three years. The report, by Manase and Associates, commissioned by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, followed the 2009/2010 auditor-general’s report, which revealed widespread Read more >

South Africans make their mark to fight graft

South Africans of all ages and walks of life are committing to a non-corrupt society by signing Corruption Watch’s anti-corruption pledge – a clear indication that “we’ve had enough”, said one contributor from Johannesburg, Andre Botha. Signing the pledge is a way of turning “gatvol” into “let’s fix this”, showing you have taken a stand Read more >

Corruption snapshot: 2 – 9 February

Anti-corruption watchdogs for municipalities The South African Local Government Association (Salga) is setting up public accounts committees in all municipalities to boost financial management and accountability at a local level. This follows the latest Auditor-General report, which revealed only seven municipalities achieved clean audits in the past financial year, with 127 receiving an unqualified audit. Read more >

Massive press coverage of Corruption Watch launch

A firm sense of optimism and support dominated media coverage of Corruption Watch’s launch on Thursday 26 January, with newspapers, radio and TV all carrying accounts of the event. News coverage spanned the country and was as prominent in national publications and broadcasts as it was in community newspapers and radio reports, spreading the message Read more >

A web of watchdogs and whistle-blowers

How many of you reading this have experienced corruption in some form? You were asked for, or paid, a bribe; you work for a company that has secured lucrative state contracts through bribery or other inappropriate relationships; you are in a position of power and routinely dispense "favours" to those who need the services that Read more >

Corruption Watch: the ‘how’ – David Lewis

Corruption Watch: the ‘how’ – David Lewis   David Lewis Executive Director Corruption Watch   I want to start by thanking people who have been critical to getting CW off the ground. First, the guest speakers. I can’t tell you how important the support of Minister Radebe, Public Protector Madonsela and Comrade Zwelinzima Vavi and Read more >

Over 1 000 Corruption Watch pledges in a day

Big names in South African politics and civil society have thrown their weight behind Corruption Watch, with the number of signatures on the organisation’s anti-graft pledge rising to well over 1 000 in a day. The web-based pledge explains its purpose: “The best way to stop corruption is for all of us to take a stand; Read more >