Dodgy manufacturers fraudulently using SABS approval mark

By Thato Mahlangu The South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) receives reports, almost on a daily basis, about manufacturers who have been advertising and/or selling essential Covid-19 protection products with the fraudulent use of the SABS mark. The SABS is tasked with verifying, approving and accessing the standards of products that are sold in the Read more >

Ramaphosa talks tough on Covid-19 corruption

In his latest address to the nation on Thursday, 23 July, President Cyril Ramaphosa uttered strong words of warning to those complicit in corrupt actions at this time – especially regarding the financial and other assistance given by the government to needy South African residents. This is the sternest – and the longest – speech Read more >

Finally, police watchdog Ipid will have a new head

By Thato Mahlangu A new head for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) has been appointed, announced the police watchdog last week. The Portfolio Committee on Police said last Wednesday it has confirmed the nomination to appoint Jennifer Dikeledi Ntlatseng as Ipid’s new executive director (ED). Ntlatseng had been the director of the community relations under Read more >

New Trillian revelations show need for robust public procurement laws

Since 2017, Corruption Watch has been calling for probes into and criminal charges regarding the professional conduct of auditing firms and service providers such as KPMG, McKinsey, Deloitte, and Trillian. These firms and others have been implicated in dodgy dealings with several state owned enterprises including Eskom and Transnet, as well as the South African Read more >

Price-gouging Dis-Chem made to pay million rand fine

By Thato Mahlangu Pharmaceutical retailer Dis-Chem has been found guilty by the Competition Tribunal for opportunistically hiking prices for some of its products. The tribunal asked Dis-Chem to pay R1.2-million in administrative penalties for having increased prices of face masks which have been classified as essential products during the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic. But Read more >

What is a tax haven? Offshore finance, explained

In May 2020 Mauritius, curiously one of the African countries that perform well on the annual Corruption Perceptions Index, was listed by the European Commission (EC) as a high-risk country for money laundering and funding of terrorism. It was joined on the revised EC list by Botswana, Ghana, and Zimbabwe, among others. The former is Read more >

Applications for AG position now open, until 17 July

Parliament has issued a call for applications for the upcoming post of auditor-general (AG). The term of office of current AG Kimi Makwetu will end on 30 November 2020. The Office of the Auditor-General South Africa (AGSA) is an institution supporting constitutional democracy, established in terms of sections 188 to 189 of Chapter 9 of Read more >

AEPF webinar on ethical practises in SA: register now

The Anti-Intimidation and Ethical Practises Forum, of which Corruption Watch is a founding member, will be hosting an online webinar during which the organisation will release results of its research into the practise of ethics in South Africa. The event takes place on Thursday 23 July from 10h00 to 11h30. Attendance is free.   The Read more >