POLICY AND ADVOCACY

CW submits comments on the Companies Amendment Bill

Much of Corruption Watch’s (CW) work consists of advocating for transparency – in procurement, in leadership appointments, in allocating resources, in matters of governance. Corruption threatens the credibility and effectiveness of these measures and more, and therefore transparency is crucial to curbing, even abolishing the scourge.   Beneficial ownership transparency (BOT) is seen as an increasingly important element of any anti-corruption strategy, as it is fundamental in tackling illicit Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Fraser bid to cross-examine SSA witnesses fails

By Valencia Talane Former State Security Agency (SSA) director-general (DG) Arthur Fraser will not be cross-examining any of the witnesses who implicated him in state capture earlier this year. The chairperson of the state capture commission, acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on Wednesday dismissed an application by Fraser to cross-examine a number of witnesses in Read more >

INVESTIGATION

The rot in the Public Service Commission, part 2: What’s next?

By Moepeng Talane The Public Service Commission (PSC) may have gotten rid of the main players in a nepotism scandal that rocked the institution early in 2020, leading to the dismissal of its director-general (DG), but the body is far from clearing itself of the stigma of a hithertofore largely unknown culture of autocracy and bad governance that has plagued it for years.   This is according to a whistle-blower who spoke to Corruption Watch on condition of Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Financial crime more difficult with true owner transparency

Our new mini-series shines the spotlight on the current Financial Action Task Force (FATF) beneficial ownership review process. Part 1 presented the particular issues the organisation has recently sought input on, part 2 examined the five recommendations submitted by Transparency International as a response to the FATF invitation, part 3 looked at the FATF draft amendments in response to the call for Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Tighter beneficial ownership regulations in FATF proposal

Our new mini-series shines the spotlight on the current Financial Action Task Force (FATF) beneficial ownership review process. Part 1 presented the particular issues the organisation has recently sought input on, part 2 examined the five recommendations submitted by Transparency International as a response to the FATF invitation, this article – part 3 – looks at the FATF response to the submissions Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Beneficial ownership register is imperative, says TI

Our new mini-series shines the spotlight on the current Financial Action Task Force (FATF) beneficial ownership review process. Part 1 presents the particular issues the organisation has recently sought input on, this article – part 2 – examines the five recommendations submitted by Transparency International as a response to the FATF invitation, part 3 looks at the FATF proposed amendments, and part Read more >

OPINIONS

Empty vessels make the most noise, especially in politics

By Melusi NcalaFirst published on News24 In the past year, South Africans have endured not only the hardships of Covid-19 on top of everything else, but have been subjected to the outlandish and improbable promises of campaigning politicians gearing up for the local government elections. When casting our vote, writes Corruption Watch’s Melusi Ncala, we must Read more >

OPINIONS

Data analysis of Treasury records reveals extent of price gouging on PPE

By Kavisha PillayFirst published on Maverick Citizen In October 2020, the National Treasury launched a public dashboard of all Covid-19 expenditure reported to it by national, provincial and local government departments. This data, though incomplete and inaccurate in some instances, has made it possible to understand how much each department spent, the items procured and the suppliers who Read more >