CORRUPTION NEWS

What’s the arms deal all about?

Formally known as the Strategic Defence Package, the arms deal, to use its notorious nickname, was a multi-billion-rand military acquisition project finalised in 1999 by the South African government. If allegations currently under investigation by a top-level commission are proven true, it will be the biggest corruption scandal in the country’s history. The acquisition was Read more >

RAISING AWARENESS

Help make our voice count!

A Corruption Watch idea, involving online citizen activism against corruption, is one of 196 that have made it through to the public voting round in the annual Making All Voices Count global innovation competition. Check it out here and vote for our idea – there are two weeks left! South Africa is one of 12 countries Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Arms deal commission to resume

The two-man Arms Procurement Commission, or the Seriti Commission, resumes on 20 January and will continue until 16 May. The commission is investigating “allegations of fraud, corruption, impropriety or irregularity in the strategic defence procurement package” and will question the rationale for the arms deal, whether the equipment purchased is adequately used or not, and Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

NW premier driving up costs

Our first zero for the year is North West premier Thandi Modise, whose purchase of a R1.3-million luxury car has outraged citizens. In October 2013 finance minister Pravin Gordhan announced a range of measures aimed at curbing excessive public spending – the buying of cars was included in his anti-spending strategy. Modise bought a swanky Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

The rise of civil society groups in Africa

By André-Michel Essoungou, The Africa Report In recent years, civil society groups have become major actors in the fight against corruption, both nationally and on the global stage. Under the glaring sun of a recent Monday, an unusual group of protesters marched on the streets of Kampala, Uganda's capital. All dressed in black "to mourn Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Mpumalanga DoH extends circumcision probe

Following an investigation by Corruption Watch, the Mpumalanga Department of Health has extended its probe into a multi-million rand contract awarded to Mkhago Health Care Services as part of the province’s Voluntary Medical Male Circumcision programme. In October 2013 the health department suspended the R182-million contract with Mkhago Health Care Services when Corruption Watch revealed Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The corruption year ahead

With a bunch of high-profile corruption stories making newspaper headlines in 2013, South Africans have had a lot to read about. But there’s more to come – in 2014 we expect several cases to be wrapped up in court, and there’s the public protector’s Nkandla report, due out some time this month. Advocate Thuli Madonsela, the Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Zuma, Madonsela top our hero-zero poll

By Valencia Talane It is a case of history repeating itself: Corruption Watch’s annual hero-zero of the year poll has revealed public protector Thuli Madonsela as the readers’ choice for corruption hero of the year for a second year, while President Jacob Zuma emerged again as the zero of the year. At the centre of the Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

2013 Corruption Snapshots

By Kavisha Pillay 2013 has been a year tainted with allegations of corruption of all kinds, many of which made newspaper headlines across the country. Corruption Watch takes a look at this year’s big corruption-related stories. JANUARY  North West legal fees – 2 January The North West’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) announced that Read more >