Four reasons why corruption matters

By Oliver Bullough First published on Al Jazeera More than a trillion dollars are stolen from the world’s poorest countries every year, which is such a vast sum that it is hard to visualise. That amount of money would get you Apple, with enough left over to buy every sterling-denominated note or coin in circulation. Read more >

Judiciary rises to challenge of fighting corruption

By Leanne Govindsamy First published in Business Day The corruption paralysing South Africa will only be properly dealt with when institutions in all spheres of government — in particular criminal justice institutions — work together, freely and without interference and without favour or prejudice. Any anti-corruption project in South Africa, therefore, should be first and Read more >

Corruption in business: BLSA CEO Bonang Mohale speaks

By Steven Friedman The University of Johannesburg’s professor of political studies, Steven Friedman, speaks to Bonang Mohale, the CEO of Business Leadership South Africa, about growing concerns that corruption has become embedded in the way business is conducted in the country. Steven Friedman: How representative is Business Leadership South Africa of the country’s private sector? Read more >

Corruption in South Africa: a view from the front line

First published on Transparency International UK David Lewis, executive director of TI’s chapter in South Africa, Corruption Watch, reflects on the country’s current situation and the tools available to civil society to fight back against corruption. When, in the period leading to the formation of Corruption Watch, I traipsed around South Africa and the world Read more >

How ordinary citizens can punish unethical conduct

By David Lewis First published on Business Day The survey on ethical practices in the auditing and related professions conducted by the Anti-Intimidation and Ethical Practices Forum (of which Corruption Watch is a founding member) is important precisely because of its focus on ethics. The one principle of the rule of law that has been Read more >

No place like home, but not for all South Africans

By Melusi Ncala First published in Bosveld Review Childhood memories are often coloured by sunny days, clear and cool swimming pools, conversations filled with laughter, and tasty boerewors rolls and salads. This hive of activity takes place in a sizable yard where the lawns are neatly cut, green trees are perfectly pruned and there is Read more >

Mbete does the right thing, putting SA’s interests first

First published on Business Day Speaker Baleka Mbete has done exactly the right thing by allowing a secret ballot in the parliamentary vote of no confidence in President Jacob Zuma. Her reasoning clearly echoes the reasoning set out by Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng. It weighs and takes into account both sides of the argument: the Read more >

Africa is not poor, we are stealing its wealth

By Nick Dearden First published on Al Jazeera Africa is poor, but we can try to help its people. It’s a simple statement, repeated through a thousand images, newspaper stories and charity appeals each year, so that it takes on the weight of truth. When we read it, we reinforce assumptions and stories about Africa Read more >