DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Graft can violate our human rights

Dear Corruption Watch, A lot of organisations claim that corruption is a violation of human rights. Can you please explain this? It seems to me that it also undermines any right stipulated in the Bill of Rights because it effectively pulls the rug out from under public commitments and diverts resources. Do you agree? Law-abider Read more >

OPINIONS

Gordhan sets a standard for all to uphold

Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan has shown that it is possible to hold those in public office to the highest standards of accountability and protect the integrity of public office and institutions. He has acted swiftly, professionally and transparently, in a manner that befits his high office and that of the office of the South Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Clean slate tougher for young democracy

Dear Corruption Watch, I know that corruption is not a problem unique to South Africa, but are we more corrupt than most countries? Is corruption in a developing country such as ours potentially more dangerous for society than in a wealthier country? – Seeking Comparison Dear Seeking Comparison, Transparency International is an organisation that highlights Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

We need a way out of this impasse

Dear Corruption Watch, I’ve read that an NGO has taken the President to the Constitutional Court to force him to appoint a permanent National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP).  Why would they want him to be the one to make the appointment since President Zuma has a personal interest in the matter? Since the DA Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Benefit bought or sought is a crime

Dear Corruption Watch All this “name-dropping” for special favours or contracts or landing rights at air force bases really ticks me off. I assume it’s not against any laws, but the results are so clearly corrupt that it should be. Is it possible to criminalise the peddling of influence? — Friendless in high places Corruption Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Errant civil servants should not be rehired

Dear Corruption Watch,   More than 50 people in the government department for which I work have clouds of corruption following them around. Many of them, as evidence mounts, are resigning before they can be charged or disciplinary procedures initiated against them. If they continue their behaviour in their next positions a corrupt public services becomes more entrenched. What can be done? Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Impartial prosecutors vital for true justice

Dear Corruption Watch, Glynnis Breytenbach was recently found not guilty on all the disciplinary counts brought against her by the NPA.One of the allegations was that she favoured mining company, Sishen Iron Ore, in the criminal case against Imperial Crown Trading and that she failed to follow up on the counter-allegations made by Imperial against Sishen. Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Enraged by release of whistleblower’s murderers

Dear Corruption Watch I read in the papers the other day that the convicted killers of North West corruption whistleblower Moss Phakoe have been released on bail. How can convicted criminals be set free? What kind of message is that giving out about our justice system and how seriously we take the plight of whistleblowers? Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

State’s trick to avoid paying up

Dear Corruption Watch I am a contractor. I have done quite a lot of work for local government. The contracts I get are usually awarded after a tender is advertised and I have submitted a bid. A few years ago, I got a phone call from the head of a government department. He said that Read more >