Dear Corruption Watch

Dear Corruption Watch, the national director of public prosecutions recently announced that not only have charges of fraud and perjury against his deputy, Nomgcobo Jiba, been withdrawn, but she's been promoted! How can she have a future at the NPA?

In his budget speech, Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene announced that the Treasury is launching a central supplier database and e-tender portal in a bid to fight corruption and make government procurement more efficient and cost-effective. I am a supplier to the state, and I'm confused about how such a move could benefit my business and how it will reduce corruption. Won't it add to the administrative burdens on small businesses such as mine?

​Dear Corruption Watch, I've reported corruption on your website – things going on in the body corporate where I live, and evidence to show improper payments billed to me for construction work – but you've replied that your focus is on the misuse of public resources or power. Why such a narrow focus? Private Matter Dear Private Matter, […]

Dear Corruption Watch, I receive a civil pension from the Government Employees Pension Fund. The GEPF is asking me to pay back about R32 000 of incorrectly calculated increments or they will start deducting it from my monthly pension. Is this a scam or corruption? What should I do?

Dear Corruption Watch, as an employee, I want to blow the whistle on something going on, but my employment contract refers to confidentiality of information obtained during the scope of my work. Does the whistle-blowers act trump such legislation or company policy making disclosure of information criminal?

Dear Corruption Watch, I am concerned that many high-profile and important positions in South Africa made by the president are compromised from the start, like the national prosecutions head. What alternatives to presidential appointment are there in South Africa and other countries?

Dear Corruption Watch, I’m hearing that in addition to such indignities as contempt and “xenophobia”, refugees must pay bribes to become documented aliens. Don’t our laws protecting people’s rights extend to immigrants?

As far as state owned enterprises are concerned, the role of the relevant minister or state official should be limited to that of representing such stakeholders – the South African public – rather than his or her own political interest or the interests of a specific political or economic grouping.

Dear Corruption Watch: The head of the Independent Police Investigative Directorate [in Gauteng] has been suspended while being investigated for nepotism. Why does nepotism in public sector appointments or other forms of appointment constitute corruption? And if it is corruption, is it criminal?

Dear Corruption Watch: I was reading a piece on rampant corruption in India and the prevailing dispensation's undertaking to root it out. One of the initiatives was to implement an online application system for the granting of certain permits. Is this something worth exploring in South Africa?

You've told us that the new Public Administration Management Act is really important since it prevents state officials from doing business with the state and requires them to declare all financial interests. I've heard that the president still hasn't brought the act into operation. Why hasn't he done so already? Given the urgency with which we should be fighting corruption, is there any way that we can make him hurry up?

My local councillor is being investigated for his role in corrupt tender processes in our municipality. A senior branch member of our political party told me that I should not discuss the allegations or charges because the councillor is "innocent until proven guilty". I understand that this is an important part of criminal trials, but what is its relevance in public discussions around allegations of corruption?

In May, the deputy minister for constitutional development announced that an information regulator would soon be appointed in terms of the Protection of Personal Information Act. What is the role of the information regulator? How does the appointment process work? Would there be recourse for interested parties if unsuitable candidates were to be selected?

It seems the ace in every politician's hand is the sub judice rule, which somehow makes difficult questions go away. What does sub judice mean, and why are these words so powerful?

A legal professional body has gone to court to have two senior National Prosecuting Authority officials Lawrence Mrwebi and Nomgcobo Jiba, struck off the roll of advocates. How does this work? Surely the professional body can regulate itself? Why does it have to go to court?

South African businesses seem very concerned with understanding and adhering to the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and the UK Bribery Act. And yet they're not so worried about our own legislation?