DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

PDA protects employees in the private and public sectors

Dear Corruption Watch In my organisation, I am responsible for the monitoring of corruption, fraud and wasteful expenditure. However, I have been largely sidelined from fulfilling this function and so am in effect being prevented from doing my job by being given menial work to do instead. What can I do? Yours Silenced Whistle Dear Read more >

OPINIONS

Fighting corruption an ongoing struggle

By Candice Bailey The latest high-profile money laundering case implicating Gauteng ANC chief whip Brian Hlongwa tells the tale of a plush life filled with tender favours for mansions, fully paid overseas holidays and personal helicopter trips across Johannesburg’s suburbs. But woven into the intricate reams of court papers detailing how the former Gauteng Health Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Stepping in where NPA fears to tread

Dear Corruption Watch The National Prosecuting Authority does not appear to have the appetite to prosecute cases involving corruption on the part of state officials, or committed by those in the private sector who are politically connected. Is it possible for a private citizen like me, or a civil society organisation like Corruption Watch, to Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

SIU reports need not be made public

Dear Corruption Watch, The Special Investigating Unit probe into expenditure around Nkandla has finally been submitted to President Zuma, after a delay. How do we ensure the president co-operates with the very probe he ordered and implements its recommendations? Yours faithfully, Seeking Improved Understanding Dear Seeking, There are two important things to remember about the Special Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Free speech versus respectful criticism

Dear Corruption Watch, The public protector, like so many political figures, endures name-calling and occasionally vicious attacks. Is she able, like a judge, to charge her detractors with contempt? Concerned Dear Concerned, The legislature has given public protector statutory protection against such attacks. Contempt of the public protector is an offence. The Public Protector Act Read more >

OPINIONS

Pursuit of corruption has its inspiring moments

By David Lewis We at Corruption Watch are often asked whether we don’t find our job depressing. The question assumes that spending each day dealing with the seamier side of human conduct and confronting an insoluble problem must be a depressing experience. It’s not at all depressing. On the contrary, it is quite uplifting. First, while we Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Seriti Commission must be fair to both sides

Dear Corruption Watch, I have been following the Seriti Commission hearings into the arms deal and have a couple of questions: if there is general dissatisfaction with the procedures, are the process or outcomes subject to judicial review? How will the findings Judge Seriti makes be enforced? And is a commission subject to the same Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

It’s hard to defame a South African politician

Dear Corruption Watch, Businessman Hugh Glenister’s Constitutional Court appeal calls President Jacob Zuma a “corrupt crook” and his government “extremely corrupt”. The president, in turn, calls this defamatory. Can you please explain the law of defamation? When does name-calling become illegal? What recourse do people have and are different standards applied to senior public officials? Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

OECD convention not just a nice-to-have

Dear Corruption Watch, I recently came across a report damning our lack of compliance with the OECD Anti-Bribery Convention that South Africa ratified in 2007. It says out of a mere ten foreign bribery allegations that have come to light our government has prosecuted exactly zero. We have until October to write a self-assessment report. What is the OECD convention Read more >