DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Bringing down corrupt professionals

Dear Corruption Watch, We are often told that an effective remedy would be to place firms who engage in criminal or ethically suspect conduct on one of the various official blacklists that prevent them from doing further business with the state. But what about professionals like doctors, nurses, lawyers, auditors and engineers? Members of these Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Don’t bow to bribery demands from officials

Dear Corruption Watch, A mining house in Kenya is considering bringing a bribery case to the International Chamber of Commerce. They allege that they were asked to pay just under $1 million to reverse a suspension of its mining licence. The company claims the suspension was politically motivated. Is this common in the mining industry? Read more >

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Close doors to bad business

Dear Corruption Watch, In my work as a corporate advisor I am continually astonished that executives are only vaguely aware of the impact our anti-corruption laws and those particularly in the US and Britain might have on their business practices. I am often asked what top three things they should do to start assessing company Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Beware the professionally corrupt

Dear Corruption Watch, Many corrupt transactions either require professionals to execute them, or leave them in a position to be aware of them. Lawyers, engineers, auditors and doctors agree to adhere to professional codes of ethics. Theses codes should mean that those professionals party to corrupt activities should be unable to continue to practice, don’t Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Called to account…or court

Dear Corruption Watch, What is the difference between criminal and non-criminal corruption? Isn’t all corrupt behaviour a criminal offence? Where are the lines drawn? Mystified Dear Mystified, This question gets to the heart of what we mean when we talk about fighting corruption.  The answer depends on how you define “corruption”.  First, corruption can be Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Inauspicious start for arms inquiry

Dear Corruption Watch What do you think of the judicial commission of enquiry into the arms deal? Is it likely to uncover the corruption that occurred during the arms deal, or is it just another way for those who benefited to cover it up? Interested observer Dear Interested observer At the level of principle, the Read more >

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Clean-up bureau can benefit SA

Dear Corruption Watch, I’ve been reading about Lindiwe Sisulu’s proposals to establish an anti-corruption bureau to clean up the public service at all levels of government and tackle businesses offering to corrupt its members. I want to believe this is not just an election year proposal – what do you think? Hopeful   Dear Hopeful, Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Global treaties a useful tool for fighting graft

Dear Corruption Watch,   I see there are a number of international covenants and protocols to do with fighting corruption ranging from the UN, the AU, the OECD and SADC (I’m sure there are others, too). Can you please tell me which, if any, South Africa has signed and whether they’re binding in any way, i.e. will we as a society face consequences Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Graft can violate our human rights

Dear Corruption Watch, A lot of organisations claim that corruption is a violation of human rights. Can you please explain this? It seems to me that it also undermines any right stipulated in the Bill of Rights because it effectively pulls the rug out from under public commitments and diverts resources. Do you agree? Law-abider Read more >