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OPINIONS

Duduzane Zuma’s arrest a result of many contributions

By David Lewis First published in the Sunday Times Reading Jacques Paauw’s The President’s Keepers, I discerned two wings of the Zuma family’s commercial empire. The first could be described as their ‘business’ interests with the Guptas as their primary, if not exclusive, partners. Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane exercised oversight of these family interests. The Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

SOE shake-up on the cards – SA waits for action

Between the pronouncement made on planned anti-corruption efforts during his maiden state of the nation address (Sona) on 16 February this year, and his Cabinet announcement of this past Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa seems to be serious about his administration’s planned restoration of state-owned enterprises (SOEs).  It remains to be seen, however, if the interventions Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Gordhan on BBC HARDtalk: why believe the Guptas?

By Gareth van Zyl First published on BizNews In an interview aired on BBC HARDtalk earlier in August, former finance minister Pravin Gordhan decried the levels of corruption in South Africa and how “disclosures” concerning one family, namely the Guptas, have revealed how the state has been hijacked. Gordhan now is just an ordinary MP Read more >

OPINIONS

The descent of Jacob Zuma in 31 steps and counting

By Kavisha Pillay and Mark Hayward First published on Daily Maverick Last week, the Constitutional Court heard arguments that Parliament should either allow for, or be ordered to conduct, a secret ballot when MPs are voting in a motion of no confidence against President Jacob Zuma. The hearing came after a weekend of storms covered Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Cautious budget reflects political landscape

A lot can happen in a political year, and anyone holding Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan’s last two budget speeches side by side can see evidence of this. Gordhan presented his 2016/17 budget under extreme political pressure on Wednesday – amid some speculation that it may very well be his last – and thus it lacked Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

The effect of illicit financial flows on Africa

The problem with illicit financial flows is not just that they are illicit, but that their effect spreads far beyond their immediate area of occurrence. Millions of people are affected, economies are weakened, and development is halted, while a shady few accumulate wealth and influence. A high level conference, held on 14 July at Pretoria Read more >

OPINIONS

Tackle corruption by keeping communities in the picture

  By David Lewis Despite the perennial hype surrounding the budget, as long as we have a sane finance minister the “hard” content is inevitably pretty predictable. A good budget is generally a paragon of moderation. Unless it succumbs to special-interest pressure, it won’t slash and burn, and it won’t throw money from a helicopter. Read more >

CORRUPTION NEWS

Budget 2016: clampdown on state-owned entities

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan says government seeks to stop corruption, waste and the continued bailout of state-owned entities (SOEs). He delivered his much anticipated budget speech on Wednesday, amid cynicism over the economy. Gordhan also defended a measure undertaken by Treasury to review all contracts above R10- million. Earlier in the day, Treasury had released Read more >

HEROES & ZEROES

Vote for your hero and zero of the year!

It’s that time of the year when we look back on the individuals, organisations, and institutions who frustrated us, made us weep and gnash our teeth, made us throw up our hands, but also impressed us, gave us hope, and inspired us. Yes, it’s Hero and Zero of the Year time. Last year it was Read more >