Posts

A tear in our fabric

By David Lewis Be sure of this: every successive instance of corruption, of which Nkandla is a clear example, tears away at the institutional fabric that holds our country together. The media and the public are focused on calculating the monetary cost of corruption. This is usually a complex task, although in the Nkandla “security Read more >

Community could have benefited from Nkandla

Public protector Thuli Madonsela yesterday released her long awaited final report into the alleged irregular and excessive expenditure on security upgrades at Nkandla, President Jacob Zuma’s private residence in KwaZulu-Natal. Madonsela’s investigation is not the first to have been conducted on the controversial construction project. In October 2012 public works minister Thulas Nxesi ordered an Read more >

The arms deal: what you need to know

Browse the mini-site: What is the arms deal? What equipment was bought? When did it all go down? Who were the people involved? Allegations of corruption What is the Seriti Commission? Useful resources Updates and analysis Formally known as the Strategic Defence Package, the arms deal, to use its notorious nickname, was a multi-billion-rand military Read more >

Spy tapes saga: the latest

President Jacob Zuma will apply in the Johannesburg high court this week for leave to appeal against the most recent ruling in the so-called “spy tapes” saga. The appeal will be heard on Friday, 6 September. On 16 August the high court in Pretoria ruled that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which is in possession Read more >

Corruption knows no colour

My name is Kavisha Pillay. I am 21 years old, and I am frustrated! The aftermath of Guptagate motivated me to write this opinion piece. Now that the dust has settled, and I’ve had time to digest it all, I can express my frustration: It bothers me that some people in our country let colour Read more >

Public service needs a shake-up, Mr President

By Kavisha Pillay In a letter published in The Star newspaper earlier this month, President Jacob Zuma congratulated the public servants of South Africa who, he said, were improving the country. While it is commendable that many are indeed hard-working and honest individuals who strive to build the nation, the president paints a somewhat fantastical Read more >