CORRUPTION NEWS

Poor policies, complicit police deepen SA’s drug problem

By Thato Mahlangu Part one of our mini-series on the UN’s World Drug Report 2020 looked at some of the report’s key findings. In the second and final part, we cover the situation in South Africa at the moment. The situation is serious, and it’s not getting better. According to anti-crime organisation Enact, the local Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Inaction and weak policies boost the illicit drug market

By Thato Mahlangu Drug markets have been reported to be increasing, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. This grim but unsurprising information is one of the findings of the UN’s World Drug Report which was released on 25 June 2020. The report reveals how some governments are failing to clamp down on the illicit trade of Read more >

PUBLICATIONS

SIU investigations into water dept are progressing

Towards the end of June the parliamentary standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) received an update from the Special Investigating Unit on its investigations into the Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS). Cases discussed included Mhlathuze Water Board, Vuwani Steel Pipeline, Lepelle Northern Water, Gauteng Department of Human Settlements, the DWS SAP licence contract, Umgeni Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

CW’s auditor-general submission discussed in Parly

Earlier in July Corruption Watch (CW) wrote to the parliamentary Ad Hoc Committee on the Appointment of the Auditor-General (AG) with a detailed submission containing our views, plans and recommendations. The term of the incumbent AG Kimi Makwetu, who has served with distinction, comes to an end on 30 November 2020. Our submission to the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

TI: two clear opportunities for a better post-Covid world

By Kwazi Dlamini The Covid-19 pandemic has turned the world as we know upside down. It has illuminated shortcomings, failures and inequality in societies all over the world and while there are nations who have handled the crisis supremely well, the same cannot be said for the majority. Transparency International (TI) has released a new Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >