LOCKDOWN LIFE

Break the Covid-19 stigma

Guest contributor My experience with the lockdown in Cosmo City ext. 6 and its surroundings is that there has been obedience. The streets are empty. Only a few people are moving about – these I believe are the essential workers. I communicate with my family based in Tzaneen on a daily basis. From their side, Read more >

OUTREACH AND EVENTS

Vulnerable voices silenced by mining companies

By Thato Mahlangu Mining-affected communities are among the most vulnerable in our country. As part of its work in the mining sector, Corruption Watch (CW) recently visited three affected communities in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal. Our visits highlighted the particular vulnerabilities these people live with daily. The CW team, with Mining Affected Communities United in Action, held Read more >

LOCKDOWN LIFE

Covid-19 – some personal musings and impressions

One thing about being at home at a time like this is that it gives one plenty of opportunity to think, discuss and debate the issue at hand. My standout impressions thus far are that there is a lot of deliberate fear-mongering, some instances of defiance of the authorities who are trying to contain this Read more >

PRESS RELEASES

CW responds to Eskom’s whistle-blowing statement

On 19 March 2020, the Eskom board issued a media statement titled Eskom board statement on allegations against the COO, citing the Eskom employee who raised the allegations and has submitted an affidavit to the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture. The entire Eskom board statement is attached at the end of this document.    From Corruption Watch’s (CW) analysis of the information at Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Joint efforts are needed to fight wildlife crime

Corruption is playing a role in the killing and trading of endangered species, especially primates. But concerted and collaborative efforts will go a long way towards wiping out these crimes. Primatologist Marilyn A. Norconk, emeritus professor at the Kent State University in Ohio, wrote an article for The Conversation last week to illustrate how people, Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

SA’s echoes of leaders who plundered their countries

By Mandisi MajavuFirst published in The Conversation One of the shameful achievements of the African National Congress (ANC) in its 25 years of governing post-apartheid South Africa is that it’s living up to the political stereotype of what is wrong with post-colonial Africa – unethical and corrupt African leaders who exercise power through patronage. The widespread corruption Read more >

OPINIONS

Cambridge Analytica and the end of elections

By Nanjala Nyabola First published on Al Jazeera The latest Cambridge Analytica leaks show just how compromised voting – one of the pillars of democracy – has become. In the early hours of 1 January 2020, a Twitter handle, @hindsightfiles, allegedly run by Brittany Kaiser, a former employee of Cambridge Analytica, shared confidential documentation regarding the involvement Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Anti-corruption, human rights efforts will converge in 2020

By Alison Taylor First published on the FCPA Blog In considering external operating risk, it has long been clear that corruption and negative human rights impacts correlate keenly. Underpaid doctors who require bribes before they will admit your child to a hospital immediately undermine your right to health. When an earthquake collapses buildings and causes Read more >

PUBLICATIONS

Brave enough to talk about land corruption

By Melusi NcalaFirst published in the Sunday Tribune I often puzzle over the hesitant behaviour of people around me when they discuss the topic of land dispossession and the displacement of families and communities. It is as though there is a collective disposition of awkwardness and clumsiness. Land and related issues are described as “touchy” Read more >