Media alert: civil society takes steps to reclaim democracy

URGENT MEDIA ALERT 05 April 2016 This evening an alliance of civil society, church, trade union and academic organisations held an urgent meeting to discuss the growing political and economic crisis that faces South Africa. In attendance were representatives of the Anglican Church of South Africa, the Evangelical Alliance, the South African Christian Leadership Initiative, Read more >

Local government elections 2016 – FAQ

The final registration weekend for the upcoming municipal elections takes place over the weekend of 9 and 10 April. If you’re a South African citizen remember that your vote is not only important when it comes to national elections – it’s at municipal level where government and citizens meet directly, and in a way this Read more >

TI calls for immediate action against secret companies

A global investigation, involving some 400 journalists from 80 countries, into the use of secret companies by the rich, powerful and corrupt has shown how a network of lawyers, bankers and others around the world hide illicit wealth. Transparency International (TI) calls on the international community to act immediately to adopt transparency laws to outlaw secret Read more >

Corruption Watch announces new board chair

Today the board of Corruption Watch announced that Archbishop Njongonkulu Ndungane has stepped down as chair after three years in that position, but will remain on the board. Mavuso Msimang, a board member since 2012, will take over as chair with immediate effect. “We are incredibly grateful to the Archbishop for his inspiring leadership and Read more >

Download the Constitutional Court Nkandla judgment

Download the unanimous judgment delivered this morning by a full bench of the Constitutional Court. The full session is available below to watch: For your convenience we have also provided the media summary below: Today the Constitutional Court handed down judgment in a matter concerning the power of the Public Protector to “take appropriate remedial Read more >

Zuma, Nat Assembly violated Constitution, says ConCourt

The Constitutional Court has ruled that President Jacob Zuma failed to uphold his duties as prescribed by the Constitution in dealing with the findings of Public Protector Thuli Madonsela with regard to Nkandla. Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng said Zuma “failed to defend, uphold and protect the Constitution of the land” in the matter and his Read more >

CW welcomes ConCourt Nkandla ruling

Corruption Watch applauds today’s Constitutional Court judgment which finds that the rulings of the Public Protector are binding and can only be set aside upon judicial review. The judgment reinforces the provision in the Constitution for all organs of state to protect and promote the Chapter 9 institutions. This includes taking positive steps to safeguard Read more >

Corruption Watch appears in the Constitutional Court

UPDATE: The Constitutional Court will hand down judgment in this matter on 31 March at 10h00. Corruption Watch appeared on 9 February in the Constitutional Court as amicus curiae (friend of the court) in the application by the EFF and DA to enforce the public protector’s findings in the Nkandla report. Our focus in this Read more >

Zuma: the Ozymandias of the south

By Mavuso Msimang First published in City Press Percy Bysshe Shelley’s famous sonnet Ozymandias, first published in 1818, tells the story of a traveller in the desolate Egyptian desert who comes upon a broken statue of King Rameses II, whom the Greeks called Ozymandias. What remained of this pharaoh’s statue were two huge stone legs Read more >