South Africa ranks 69th out of 180 countries in Transparency International’s 2021 Corruption Perceptions Index. Corruption in government institutions is a pervasive problem that undermines public trust and diverts resources from important public services. The Gauteng MEC’s celebration of the arrest of a corrupt official is a small but significant step towards combating corruption in the country.
During his address, Deputy President Mashatile touched upon a range of topics that have been affecting South Africa and its citizens. Apart from acknowledging the devastating impact of the COVID19 pandemic, he also spoke about the government’s efforts to combat it.
On May 22nd, 2023, the Minister of Home Affairs, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, held a briefing that covered several pressing issues. The agenda included topics such as the issuance of an ID to Thabo Bester, the revocation of a South African passport, and Dr. Nandipha Magudumana’s urgent court application against the State.
The North West Provincial Legislature Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts has scheduled MFMA public hearings for May 24th, 2023. The hearings will focus on the 2019/20 audit reports of Mamusa, Kgetleng, and Ditsobotla Local Municipalities and aim to promote transparency and accountability in local government.
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has made a significant step in the fight against fraud and corruption in South Africa by recovering R71.4 million linked to Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) claims. ### Misappropriation of TERS Funds
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been investigating fraudulent claims submitted to the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) under the Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS). The investigations have uncovered a web of deceit and exploitation, emphasizing the significance of transparency and accountability in the allocation of public resources.
The University of South Africa (Unisa) is currently facing intense scrutiny over allegations of excessive spending on nonessential items. This has raised concerns about governance failures and misplaced priorities at the institution. ## Controversy Over the Curtains
The South African Information Regulator has taken a major step towards increasing transparency and accountability within the country’s political parties. In a recent announcement, the Regulator revealed plans to conduct a series of assessments of political parties’ compliance with the Promotion of Access to Information Act 2, 2000 (PAIA).
Assuming the role of Eskom CEO in January 2020, André de Ruyter soon discovered why it was considered the most challenging job in South Africa. In his newly published book, “Truth to Power: My Three Years Inside Eskom” by Random House Publishers, the former CEO takes readers on a journey through boardrooms and government meetings, unveiling the inner dynamics of the stateowned enterprise.
The North West Provincial Legislature’s Standing Committee on Provincial Public Accounts (SCOPA) is scheduled to hold a series of virtual Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) public hearings. These hearings aim to scrutinize the 2021/22 audit reports of various key organizations. The primary objective is to provide a platform for indepth discussions and gather essential insights into the responses to questions arising from the Auditor General’s reports.
On May 18, 2023, Minister Maropene Ramokgopa and Deputy Minister Pinky Kekana will deliver the budget vote speech for the Department of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluations (DPME) in Parliament, Cape Town. This speech will provide an outline of the department’s plans for the current fiscal year and evaluate the government’s performance in achieving developmental goals under the National Development Plan (NDP) Vision 2030 and the MediumTerm Strategic Framework (MTSF) 2019 – 2024.
In a recent session led by Nono Maloyi, the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements, and Traditional Affairs, South African municipalities gathered to address crucial progress reports on service delivery and infrastructure grants spending. This special session witnessed the attendance of Mayors, Municipal Managers, Chief Financial Officers, and other stakeholders, reflecting the urgency to improve service delivery in local communities.
On January 27, 2023, the Electoral Commission marked a significant milestone with the implementation of the Political Party Funding Act. This Act requires political parties to disclose their sources of funding and sets out the framework for public funding of political parties. The Commission tabled a report on political party funding in the National Assembly, which included the AuditorGeneral’s statement. The report pertained to the financial year 20212022.
In 2019, President Cyril Ramaphosa launched a “massive reading campaign” to ensure that every tenyearold in South Africa can read for meaning within a decade. Despite the Department of Basic Education’s claims of success, recent investigations reveal a different reality.
In the first quarter of 2023, Cape Town’s Metro Police and Law Enforcement Departments made significant strides in their fight against crime, resulting in a notable increase in arrests and confiscations. This article will delve into the factors that contributed to this achievement, the challenges faced by the City’s Safety and Security personnel, and the importance of individual accountability in securing lasting change.
Sudan is on the brink of a civil war as the conflict between the head of Sudan’s Armed Forces, General Abdelfatah ElBurhan, and the head of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, continues to escalate. This crisis poses severe challenges for those attempting to deliver humanitarian aid in the region, leading to a significant increase in refugees fleeing to neighboring countries.
