INVESTIGATION

CW gathers data on corruption threats to refugees

Reports received by Corruption Watch indicate that foreign nationals, most notably refugees, face extortion, threats and solicitation from a number of government agencies on a regular basis. To date Corruption Watch has received over 100 reports to this effect. All reports involve state officials demanding bribes, specifically from officials within the South African Police Service Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Corruption suspect still has access to school funds

By Kavisha Pillay First published in The Star Sluggish processes and negligence by the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) have allowed a school principal to have access to school finances even though he is under investigation for corruption at two Soweto schools. In March last year, The Star reported that Lebo Mashuga, the principal of Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Venerable child welfare organisation under scrutiny

A sanctuary for children without families and homes, that has been around for over 100 years, and throughout its existence has provided solace to many children from impoverished families and many who are orphaned and in desperate need of a home. This is how those who are familiar with the Johannesburg Child Welfare (JCW) have Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Unknowingly a house owner – for 16 years

Part one of our housing series examined the challenges faced by the Department of Human Settlements, and in part two we read of various strategies aimed at improving operations in the department. Part three features a Corruption Watch reporter who has become the victim of human settlements' bungling. When John Twala* heeded a call from Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Some relief for Eastern Cape schools

By Valencia Talane In November 2013 Corruption Watch reported on a case of bad service delivery at an Eastern Cape school that had no chairs or desks for its learners. In fact, according to the principal, the school had received no new furniture in the 23 years that she had been there. For many years, Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Challenging the system on behalf of refugees

By Valencia Talane Seeking solutions to the problem of corruption at refugee reception centres seems to be an increasingly challenging task for many organisations working in the field of refugee and asylum seeker rights. Hundreds of cases of vulnerable asylum seekers are documented regularly by such organisations with the hope that a change in policy Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Corrupt officials make life tough for refugees

By Valencia Talane In May 2012 home affairs director-general Mkuseli Apleni stated in Parliament that the department had noted progress in the implementation of the Refugees Amendment Act of 2011. The focus of his presentation before the portfolio committee on home affairs was the state’s improved ability to track the records of applicants of asylum Read more >

INVESTIGATION

To serve the public with dignity and integrity

By Valencia Talane The public service component of any society is really the backbone on which it relies for its survival. South Africans are served by over three-million public officials across the three levels of government and in its various entities and agencies. The high standard of service required from each of these individuals is Read more >

INVESTIGATION

Refugees: at the mercy of corruption

By Valencia Talane It’s hard to stand up to a corrupt system that works against you. It is especially challenging when you are in a foreign country and in desperate need of its services. Kazadi Mutombo* (25), from the Democratic Republic of Congo, knows all too well what it feels like to have to fight Read more >