Posts

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >

OPINIONS

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 >

DEAR CORRUPTION WATCH

Even pensions can be scammed

Dear Corruption Watch, I am 84 and receive a civil pension from the Government Employees Pension Fund. About 10 years ago, the GEPF sent me a letter saying my increments had been incorrectly calculated and requesting that I pay back about R32 000. I ignored the letter, thinking it was a scam. I recently received Read more >

LITIGATION

SCA clarifies the legal effect of PP findings

By Pierre De Vos First published on Constitutionally Speaking It is not easy to engage in a clear-eyed and unemotional discussion of any court judgment that deals with the legal status of the findings and remedial action issued by the office of the public protector. It may therefore be of some value to try and Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Teachers are the world’s heroes

This week we celebrated the 21st World Teachers Day on 5 October – a day proclaimed by Unesco in 1994. This year’s theme was Empowering teachers, building sustainable societies. Every day at Corruption Watch, we see teachers who go beyond the call of duty and who put their pupils’ needs ahead of their own. We’ve Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >

CORRUPTION NEWS

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 >

OUTREACH AND EVENTS

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 >

OUTREACH AND EVENTS

The march to stop corruption

By David Lewis First published in City Press A grouping of civil society organisations has called on the public to demonstrate its outrage at escalating levels of corruption by joining marches on the Union Buildings and Parliament on Wednesday. As with so many other acts of malfeasance and maladministration, it is the poor and vulnerable Read more >