HEROES & ZEROES

Minister’s ‘tirade’ another facet of corruption

By Shamin Chibba 10 April 2012 – Corruption Watch is committed to rooting out the abuse of public money and resources – but we’re also deeply concerned by corrupt behaviour, especially when public figures exert their power and influence in an abusive manner. In this light, our new corruption “zero” is Minister for Women, Children Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Whatever you say to your lawyer is confidential

Dear Corruption Watch I am facing allegations of corruption. I need to go to my lawyer, but I’m afraid that if I tell him all the facts he may also think that I have been corrupt. Can he be compelled to reveal what I tell him? What are his obligations under law and professional ethics? And his public Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Committee urges better management of JHB finances

5 April 2012 – Recommendations to help the City of Johannesburg better manage its finances and improve service delivery have been tabled by the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC). This was revealed on Wednesday at a press briefing hosted by the committee to give an update on the city’s finances.   Committee chair Scelo Gcabashe’s Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Fixing the Hawks Bill

5 April – Parliament has again come under fire over the draft South African Police Service Amendment Bill, also known as the Hawks Bill, which was tabled on 1 March. Both civil society organisations and constitutional law experts have voiced their opposition to much of the Bill, arguing that it is not only inadequate but Read more >

CORRUPTION SNAPSHOTS

Corruption snapshot: 30 March – 4 April

Prosecutor jailed for corruption A former Pietermaritzburg control prosecutor has been jailed for five years for corruption after he tried to have three drug dealers freed. Zandile Radebe (45) was the control prosecutor in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court in 2006 when lawyer Frans Mashile offered him R150 000 to arrange for his three clients to be Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

More questions than answers as Tshwane replaces anti-corruption body

By Chantelle Benjamin 4 April 2012 – The disbanded Tshwane Metro Police Department's (TMPD) anti-corruption unit is to be replaced by a new unit, which the municipality says will be more efficient. Tshwane Metro Council spokesperson Console Tleane said the move will bring the division in line with international practice. “It will look into police conduct Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Whopping salaries for Mafikeng’s municipal managers

4 April 2012 – The team of senior managers in Mafikeng municipality earn almost R30-million a year, making it the second most expensive council in the country despite all evidence pointing towards poor service delivery and sub-standard performance in the North West district. This amount is according to the municipality’s submission of budgeted salaries to Read more >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Can residents sue council over rigged tender?

Dear Corruption Watch My neighbours and I have been deprived of sanitation and a water service because of what we believe was a corrupted tender process. Can we sue the council or the tender adjudication committee for the damages? Could the other bidders who lost also institute a claim for damages? Dear Seeking Recourse, Let's Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Tshwane metro police heading for a meltdown?

By Chantelle Benjamin 2 April 2012 – When a municipality, with a suspended deputy police chief and maladministration probe hanging over it, dissolves its anti-corruption unit, some uncomfortable questions have to be raised. Particularly when it appears that staff are also being intimidated. The Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) has found itself trying to explain Read more >