Party funding act useless if not enacted

By Pierre de Vos First published on Constitutionally Speaking Political parties in South Africa tend to resemble Eskom: they burn through piles of cash but seldom deliver as promised. Some of this cash comes from “donations” made to political parties (or to political leaders) by individuals and businesses (think Gavin Watson and Bosasa or Adriano Read more >

Corruption: the fatal cost of a sick healthcare system

By Melusi Ncala First published in The Star and the Cape Argus The journey of life is full of decisions. Whether the outcome is good or bad, we can be sure these decisions affect not only us directly, but our loved ones, colleagues and acquaintances too. The decision to pen this piece may seem fruitless Read more >

Whistle-blower protection a focus of IACD

There is a new anti-corruption task team (ACTT) in town, it means business and South Africans just have to keep watching this space. Delegates at the official international anti-corruption day event, held to mark the worldwide initiative and hosted by the government in Tshwane on Monday, 10 December, were told of a newly rejuvenated ACTT Read more >

Swift action needed on party funding bill

By Judith February First published on EWN The recent brouhaha regarding President Cyril Ramaphosa and the so-called ‘Bosasa campaign donation’ has again put the funding of political parties in the spotlight. It started when DA leader Mmusi Maimane asked Ramaphosa about a donation of R500 000 he had allegedly received from Bosasa’s Gavin Watson. This Read more >

Zondo Commission – updates, analysis and other material

The Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, Corruption and Fraud in the Public Sector including Organs of State Background and context of Corruption Watch’s interest in the state capture commission The work of Corruption Watch is driven by the reports of corruption that whistle-blowers bring to us. The success of the Zondo Read more >

Gordhan shows way forward for cleaner public corporations

By David Lewis First published in Business Day Pravin Gordhan’s recent presentation to the parliamentary portfolio committee on public enterprises does indeed portend a “new dawn” for state-owned enterprises (SOEs). These massive corporations, many of which are producing critical basic goods for the country’s public and industry, have been front and centre of the plunder Read more >

Poor support for whistle-blowers a problem for Zondo

By Rebecca Davis First published on Daily Maverick “The response has not been what we were expecting,” remarked Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo when he opened the first day of the state capture inquiry. “The response has been quite disappointing.” Zondo was referring to the apparent public reluctance to comply with a call put out Read more >

Corrupt people care little for those who are vulnerable and poor

By Melusi Ncala First published in City Press The real, unavoidable tragedy of corruption in any society is its sociopolitical effect. The poor lose out and the well connected, politically or otherwise, gain at their expense. This is notable in Transparency International’s 2017 study, which links corruption and socio-economic disparities based on the Corruption Perception Read more >