Posts

Corruption and political party funding

By Matthew Kruger First published on the Helen Suzman Foundation website In South Africa, the events that generate political debate are always aplenty. In the space of three days in late September, we were all especially blessed. First, the US Securities Exchange Commission alleged that Hitachi, a foreign company, had a corrupt relationship with Chancellor Read more >

Block, ANC not walking the talk on corruption

Update: John Block has resigned as finance MEC in the Northern Cape government, as ANC MPL and as provincial chairman of the ANC – a move that has come far too late. BDLive reports that the ANC says it will continue to help Block “clear his name” – despite the damning judgment against him. Five Read more >

Corruption affects everything and everybody

By Melusi Ncala It is widely accepted that the spreading of corruption erodes many facets of our society and its ramifications are serious for all concerned. There are those among us who may want to contest this sentiment, to argue that some people are immune from being victims as they are the wrongdoers. But this Read more >

Media freedom in Southern Africa – part two

Part two of our series on media freedom in the Southern African region looks at positive developments around this issue. Some countries – including South Africa – are working on abolishing the criminal defamation law, and meanwhile the African Court has ruled that jail terms for journalists found guilty of the offence, are a violation Read more >

Lifting the lid on media freedom in Southern Africa

Our new two-part series examines some of the ways that governments in Southern Africa attempt to muzzle investigative journalists. In part one, a trio of journalists who have been targeted share their individual experiences with us. Look out for part two, which looks at positive developments around this issue, tomorrow. Part one They have been Read more >

SA reputation tarnished by “brazen” Hitachi bribe

By Martin Kenney First published on Biznews.com The story of how electronics giant Hitachi bought political influence in order to win a $5.6-billion power station contract, calls into question not only the integrity of a massive company with a global reputation, but also the very integrity of the South African government. Moreover, a $19-million fine Read more >

Citizens fighting corruption from the bottom up

By Daniel Hough, Professor of Politics, University of Sussex First published on The Conversation Africa How can policy-makers most effectively tackle corruption? The question is hardly new and over the years it’s one that many have given plenty of thought to. Building up a consensus on what works and why it works has proven difficult, Read more >

Hitachi: a settlement payment is not enough

Global electronics corporation Hitachi’s settlement fine of $19-million for charges brought by the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) against the company for violating the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) is not enough of a sanction. The Japanese multinational company has a diverse footprint in over 40 countries and boasts growing profit margins year on Read more >

Picture gallery: Unite Against Corruption march

While yesterday’s Unite Against Corruption march might not have brought us the numbers we hoped for – thanks in part to a couple of eleventh-hour obstacles – it was a success in other ways. It brought a group of widely diverse groups together for a common cause. It garnered substantial media coverage, mostly positive, including Read more >