HEROES & ZEROES

Legal fund so that journalists can do their jobs

In the wake of the controversial cellphone signal block in Parliament on Thursday, the South African National Editors Forum (Sanef) has announced that it is to set up a legal defence fund. "Sanef is in the process of setting up a legal defence fund that will allow it to fund any current and future court Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Corruption lower on Sona agenda than before

Delivering what is arguably his most anticipated State of the Nation Address (Sona) to date, President Jacob Zuma on Thursday dithered around the topic that has many South Africans concerned about the future of his government: corruption. On several occasions he referred to achievements of government that translate into a “good story to tell” for Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Reveal beneficial owners of firms to stem graft

By David Lewis There is a head of steam building behind what must sound like an arcane, technical proposal – that companies be obliged to reveal their beneficial owners and that this information be placed on a public register. After intense lobbying by Transparency International and other nongovernmental organisations, this proposal was adopted by the Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Integrity unit to keep eye on govt – part three

In part one of our series we introduced the Public Administration Management Act, and part two highlighted positive and negative reactions to its enactment. Part three gives more detail on the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit, which is established in chapter six of the PAM Act – it will aim to “provide technical assistance and Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Global corruption snapshots: 12 Feb 2015

'Kenyans' paying millions to shed off refugee status Millions of shillings are changing hands between people seeking national identity cards and registration officials in northern Kenya, a task force investigating double registration heard this week. The task force is seeking to establish the number of genuine Kenyans who registered with the United Nation High Commissioner Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Public procurement overhaul

Public procurement management has been a major headache for the national finance department for a long time, and it's doubtless a welcome source of relief to many to know that systems are being re-established that will save government money and protect the interest of taxpayers. The Office of the Chief Procurement Officer (OCPO), which is part of Treasury, Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Open tender project under way in Gauteng

The Gauteng provincial government has delivered on its promise – made in November 2014 – of bringing unprecedented levels of openness and transparency to the murky waters of its tendering processes. The first public disclosure of a tender took place at the provincial treasury offices in Johannesburg on Friday, with that department being chosen to Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Samwu corruption suspect now in custody

The Save Our Samwu (SOS) campaign, notes its website, came about following the dismissals, expulsions and suspensions of leading Samwu officials after the union’s national office bearers (NOBs) refused to answer questions on the organisation’s finances. In April 2014 a majority vote called for the suspension of the NOBs and for a forensic audit. "It was Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

SONA wishlist – better implementation and enforcement of anti-corruption measures

Dear Corruption Watch, When the president delivers the State of the Nation address in Parliament, what would you like to see on his legislative agenda in respect of anti-corruption programmes? Yours, Policy Wonk Dear Mr Wonk South Africa has excellent anti-corruption legislation. The Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act (Precca) criminalises the full range of Read more >