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2020 CPI: corruption worsens Covid-19 response and recovery

Transparency International’s 2020 Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), released today, highlights how corruption has impacted the ability of countries around the world, including South Africa, to manage their health care responses to the Covid-19 pandemic. South Africa has barely shifted its position, coming in once again with a score of 44 and a rank of 69, Read more >

2020 CPI a disappointing case of history repeating itself

Every year around this time, Transparency International (TI) releases its Corruption Perceptions Index – and every year we report on South Africa’s consistently lacklustre showing. In the previous CPI the country scored 44. In 2018 and 2017 it scored 43. Before that, South Africa managed 45 (2016), 44 (2015). 44 (2014), 42 (2013), and 43 Read more >

Treasury opens up on Covid vaccine procurement oversight

By Janine ErasmusFirst published on Maverick Citizen With the upcoming deployment of South Africa’s Covid-19 vaccine programme, Corruption Watch felt strongly enough about the possibility of corruption marring the process to write to National Treasury asking for clarification on aspects of the procurement process, given that emergency procurement thus far has been riddled with corruption. Read more >

Business as usual – and more – for CW during 2020

By Patience Mkosana and Phemelo Khaas The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges due to the profound effect of the Covid-19 pandemic on the lives of millions of people around the world. The enforcement of lockdowns to contain the spread of the virus meant that people had to quickly adopt different ways of doing things. Likewise, Read more >

Corruption – we have to acknowledge its centuries-old existence

By Janine Erasmus Nepotism, patronage, irregular contracts, rent-seeking. Many people today erroneously associate these corrupt activities only with the current government and yet, corruption in South Africa existed long before 1994. It is fair to say that those who openly yearn for pre-ANC, pre-corruption days are yearning for something that never existed.   As UJ political Read more >

Whistleblowers are the heart of Corruption Watch’s fight

By Melusi NcalaFirst published on News24 Corruption is my beat. I say this reservedly for my role and duty, though seemingly small, is a huge responsibility to me. Why? I am part of a country that is still grappling with vast inequality and indigence. But South Africans are people who live in hope and that, Read more >

Dismantle the secrecy surrounding legal vehicles and their assets

Beneficial ownership is back in the news at the moment. Opacity in knowledge of the real person behind a company, trust, or corporation, and who will ultimately benefit from its activities – the beneficial owner – is crucial to combating money laundering, tax abuse, and corruption.   Illicit financial flows (IFFs) cost money, resources, and Read more >

Open letter to G20 finance ministers from civil society

From Amnesty International, CIVICUS and Transparency International 13 October 2020 Dear G20 finance ministers, As you meet this week, we are writing to you to encourage you to take concrete actions in order to build a better future through a just recovery by investing in people and ensuring that funds being made available reach those Read more >