Latest news with #NkululekoConco
Eyewitness News
02-08-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Corruption Watch welcomes ConCourt ruling on setting aside Gender Commission appointments
CAPE TOWN - Corruption Watch has hailed yesterday's (Friday) victory against Parliament in the Constitutional Court as a turning point in enforcing meaningful public participation - particularly in the appointment of leaders to key institutions. The apex court has declared as invalid the appointment of five commissioners of the Commission of Gender Equality, including the chairperson, for more than two years since they were appointed. This invalidity has, however, been suspended for 12 months to allow parliament to restart the recruitment process. Corruption Watch said the Constitutional Court judgment is a critical milestone for its 10-year campaign on leadership appointments, and for legitimate public participation and transparency in choosing candidates to lead the country's public institutions. The Commission for Gender Equality is a Chapter 9 institution, and commissioners are appointed by the president for a five-year renewable term based on the recommendation of Parliament. On Friday, the apex court found that Parliament had incorrectly interpreted the Protection of Personal Information Act by refusing to disclose work experience information from candidates' CVs and also criticised the 14-day deadline for curtailed, online only submissions from the public. Corruption Watch lawyer Nkululeko Conco said the court's unanimous judgment should strengthen Parliament's future public participation processes. 'This victory sends a clear message. Genuine public participation is not optional. It's a constitutional requirement. Citizens have the right to meaningful involvement in choosing who leads the institutions that serve them.' Corruption Watch said the public can't be sidelined when appointing leaders to institutions meant to strengthen democracy. The court, however, made no finding on the incumbents' suitability for the roles – but said the process meant that equally qualified candidates may have been excluded.
eNCA
11-07-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
African Anti-Corruption Day comes as SA grapples crime eroding public trust
JOHANNESBURG - Today marks African Anti-Corruption Day, a moment for the continent to reflect on its progress and renew its commitment to ending one of its most stubborn challenges: corruption. Commemorated every year on 11 July the day marks the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption (AUCPCC) in 2003. Now in its twenty second year, the convention continues to serve as a continental framework to strengthen accountability and integrity in public service. Some factors include: As the continent recognises progress in the fight against corruption. South Africa grapples with this crime as one of its most urgent problems. It erodes public trust, widens inequality, and weakens democratic institutions. Even the South African Police Service is allegedly tainted. While the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago has noted this he says they still continue their fight against corruption. But they can not do this alone, he says "We have created anti-corruption forums within different entities including the health sector and the local government but we need the whole society approac. Because when we work together we are in a position to fight corruption," he said. Meanwhile reacting to allegations of corruption within the SAPS corruption watch attorney Nkululeko Conco says corruption filters down to the station level but also the involvement of gangs with police especially in the Western Cape.
