How the Fishrot scandal robbed Namibia of millions

Image: WikiLeaks In part one of our Fishrot Files mini-series we read about the experiences of whistle-blower Jóhannes Stefánsson, the former MD of the Namibian branch of Icelandic fishing company Samherji. After Stefánsson’s 2016 departure from the company, he handed over a cache of 30 000 revealing documents to Al Jazeera and WikiLeaks. The latter Read more >

Fishrot whistle-blower did it despite the risks

In 2014 the stench of corruption began to rise from the operations of Icelandic fishing company Samherji in Namibia, and its former MD Jóhannes Stefánsson noticed. Two years later, he left his job to expose an extensive cash-for-quota scandal through a trove of 30 000 documents and e-mail correspondence handed over to WikiLeaks, who made Read more >

Global private sector concerned about bribery, corruption and tax evasion

A survey of the private sector conducted by the UN’s high-level panel on financial accountability, transparency and integrity (FACTI), reveals that more than 90% of respondents would welcome stronger financial accountability, transparency and integrity regulattions when all businesses are held to the same standards. The survey was conducted anonymously online from 12 to 31 August, Read more >

NW silence on Mafereka report infuriates mining communities

Sibanye-Stillwater mine in Marikana, in the North West. Photo: Sibanye-Stillwater. By Kwazi Dlamini The mineral-rich Bapo Ba Mogale community in the North West (NW) is still looking for answers from the premier’s office regarding the delayed release of the report of the Mafereka Commission of Inquiry. The final report was handed to then premier Thandi Read more >

Dismantle the secrecy surrounding legal vehicles and their assets

Beneficial ownership is back in the news at the moment. Opacity in knowledge of the real person behind a company, trust, or corporation, and who will ultimately benefit from its activities – the beneficial owner – is crucial to combating money laundering, tax abuse, and corruption.   Illicit financial flows (IFFs) cost money, resources, and Read more >

Open letter to G20 finance ministers from civil society

From Amnesty International, CIVICUS and Transparency International 13 October 2020 Dear G20 finance ministers, As you meet this week, we are writing to you to encourage you to take concrete actions in order to build a better future through a just recovery by investing in people and ensuring that funds being made available reach those Read more >

SA falling behind in action against foreign bribery

In 2018 Transparency International released a further edition of its Exporting Corruption survey, a progress report which rates countries based on their enforcement against foreign bribery under the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention. The OECD convention requires signatory countries to criminalise bribery of foreign public officials and introduce related measures.  That report highlighted South Africa’s failure to Read more >