DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

IPID: policing the police

Dear Corruption Watch, What exactly is IPID? It has been much in the news, and now it's 'studying' the McBride court record. What is it meant to do for South Africa and does it have any specific role in combating corruption in the criminal justice system?  Yours, Anti-acronym Dear Anti, IPID is the Independent Police Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Hawks must be free to hunt high and low

Dear Corruption Watch, after the state of the nation address, many people voiced their concern that the police are part of the executive branch of the state. This reminded me of the investigations carried out by the Hawks (and before that by the Scorpions) into corruption and organised crime. A number of the people who Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

No fast fix for questionable collecting tactics

Dear Corruption Watch, my neighbours complain that their municipal water and electricity bills are incorrect. When they try to challenge their bills, our municipality says that they must first pay the disputed bill, and then argue about it. Surely this can't be right? Yours sincerely Concerned Neighbour Dear Concerned Neighbour The law regarding the powers Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Private sector can bring company crooks to justice

Dear Corruption Watch: You wrote about offshore Swiss bank accounts for people like Fana Hlongwana, whose name has been linked to the arms deal. Since South Africa still has exchange controls limiting the amount of money an individual can take offshore, have these people necessarily contravened these laws? And if they used money-laundering techniques to Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Swiss accounts not beyond law’s reach

Dear Corruption Watch, I've been reading about the South Africans with Swiss bank accounts. Now that many of them have been named, what happens next? Do the police, or people in the South African Revenue Service or other anti-corruption teams investigate them? Zurich Wannabe Dear Zurich Wannabe, We can think of several agencies or institutions Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Poser of political fundraising in SA

Dear Corruption Watch, I am still burning about the fact that people paid R3-million to sit at President Jacob Zuma's table at the ANC's 103rd anniversary celebrations. Isn't this brazen corruption? Meal Ticket Dear Meal Ticket There are no legal impediments to a fundraising event such as the one held by the ANC in Cape Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

More protection needed for whistleblowers

The Open Democracy Advice Centre (Odac) is proud to announce the launch of its latest piece of extensive research on the lived experience of South African whistleblowers, titled Heroes Under Fire. Whistleblowers in South Africa are under threat as never before. A deepening culture of impunity and lack of accountability is making it harder for them Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Why we focus on public resources

​Dear Corruption Watch, I've reported corruption on your website – things going on in the body corporate where I live, and evidence to show improper payments billed to me for construction work – but you've replied that your focus is on the misuse of public resources or power. Why such a narrow focus? Private Matter Dear Private Matter, Read more >

OPINIONS

School governing bodies have vital role to play

Opinion: Frances Eberhard Zonnebloem Boys is a primary school in District 6 in Cape Town. In March, along with all South African public schools, it will hold elections to decide who will represent its parents, teachers and learners on the school governing body (SGB). Much is at stake in these elections: SGBs have the potential Read more >