VIEWS

South Africans need to update their activism

By David Lewis First published in Daily Maverick Ranjeni Munusamy poses a pertinent question when she asks “Is South Africa losing its activism mojo?”. And, cited in the same article, Zwelinzima Vavi answers this in the affirmative when he says: “South Africans have become resigned. They are complaining everywhere but there is no real activism. Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Vavi: Corruption at root of Eskom load shedding

By Dane McDonald First published on fin24.com Corruption was at the root of load shedding implemented by Eskom, former Cosatu general secretary and Corruption Watch board member Zwelinzima Vavi said on Thursday evening. “Corruption, waste, and incompetence have contributed to the disastrous load shedding which has not only caused massive inconvenience but has major economic Read more >

NEWS

Global corruption snapshots: 10 September 2015

Bucharest mayor taken into custody in corruption probe The mayor of Romania’s capital Bucharest was taken into custody on Saturday night on suspicion of taking kickbacks on municipal tenders, anti-corruption officials said. Mayor Sorin Oprescu is accused of being among a group of officials that demanded a share in the profits made by companies that Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Another step towards effective govt tendering

Anyone wishing to do business with government in future will have to register on the newly-launched central supplier database (CSD) and read up on requirements of tenders for which they wish to compete. In Corruption Watch’s experience, some small businesses will get their fingers burned before the database is a well-oiled machine, but Finance Minister Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Putrajaya Declaration: Zero Tolerance for Impunity

The 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) drew to a close last week. Delegates from dozens of countries adopted the Putrajaya Declaration, which includes eight recommendations for action against the rapid spread of corruption. The declaration calls for grand corruption to be made an international crime, and also insists on full independence and autonomy for all Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Checks and balances mainly after the fact

Dear Corruption Watch, I am concerned that many high-profile and important positions in South Africa made by the president are compromised from the start, like the national prosecutions head. What alternatives to presidential appointment are there in South Africa and other countries? Sick of Lapdogs Dear Sick of Lapdogs, Your concerns regarding presidential appointments are Read more >

NEWS

Global corruption snapshots: 03 September 2015

A screengrab from the “Make the Politicians Work” video on Youtube TI head: freedom of speech, press ‘essential’ to fighting corruption Putrajaya: Press freedom and freedom of expression are important elements in the fight against corruption, said Transparency International president Jose Ugaz.”Press freedom and freedom of expression are the pillars of democratic societies and journalists Read more >

CAMPAIGNS

New initiative from TI is no beauty contest

The 16th International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) is under way in Putrajaya, Malaysia – the conference runs from 2 – 4 September 2015 under the theme Ending Impunity: People. Integrity. Action. This year’s IACC brings together 1 000 anti-corruption fighters – Corruption Watch among them – from more than 130 countries to forge solutions to the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

NW intervention to improve service and finances

Two of the North West province’s most troubled municipalities played host to Parliament in August, when the National Council of Provinces’ (NCOP) select committee on Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs descended on Ventersdorp and Tswaing municipalities for oversight visits. The municipalities were among those placed under provincial administration in May following cases of serious maladministration Read more >