accountabilitylatest news & developments
Despite an internal investigation finding a senior manager guilty of sexual misconduct, they remain employed by the municipality and continue to receive a salary. Graphic: John McCann

eThekwini official found guilty of sexual misconduct remains on municipal payroll

A senior metro manager found guilty of sexual misconduct in an internal investigation remains employed months later, raising questions about accountability, secrecy and retaliation against complainants

Former KZN DPP Moipone Noko. (@NPA_Prosecutes/X)

Nkabinde inquiry: former KZN DPP defends Chauke’s role in Cato Manor case

Advocate Moipone Noko said she supported and later took over the prosecution led by Andrew Chauke in the high-profile Cato Manor case

Former National director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi. Photo:   X

Shamila Batohi opts out of Nkabinde inquiry, pending legal advice

The inquiry is discussing how to proceed with the withdrawal of the outgoing national director of public prosecutions, who is the main complainant

Culpable homicide: The Quantum was allegedly attempting to overtake
four vehicles when it collided head-on with an oncoming truck. Twelve
learners were killed. Photo: Timothy Bernard/Independent Newspapers

Deadly Vaal ride to school

No single institution carries end to end accountability for ensuring a child’s journey to school is safe, leading to lethal consequences

New broom: Advocate Andy Mothibi Photo: GCIS

New NPA boss Mothibi in hot seat

Incoming NDPP lauded for his anti-corruption record as head of the SIU while critics see red

KZN provincial police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Ad hoc committee consults witnesses ahead of second phase of hearings

The parliamentary committee is scheduled to hear evidence on corruption in the policing system until 20 February

Andy Mothibe has been appointed as the new national director of public prosecutions. File photo by Paul Botes

Ramaphosa bypasses shortlisted candidates, appoints Andy Mothibi as new NPA head

The president picked the SIU head after an advisory panel found none of the six candidates interviewed late last year suitable for the post

Former National director of public prosecutions Shamila Batohi. Photo:   X

Six candidates shortlisted to lead NPA when Shamila Batohi’s term ends in January

Interviews for the shortlisted candidates will take place on 10 and 11 December, and the public is invited to submit comments on the nominees

The Madlanga commission heard further testimony of police corruption on Monday from an anonymous police investigator who alleged that senior Gauteng officials were linked to drug cartels and criminal syndicates implicated in contract killings.
 Photo: Paul Botes

Madlanga: Witness A implicates senior Gauteng officials in drug cartels and syndicated hits

The witness, who has requested anonymity, told the Madlanga commission he was invited to parties with senior officials who wanted to influence his investigation of the Armand Swart murder case

Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mchunu says political killings task team was not a permanent unit, as infighting rocks police service

Suspended minister defends his order to disband the task team

Suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. (X)

‘Mkhwanazi wants to block me from becoming national police commissioner’, says Sibiya

The deputy national commissioner has accused the KwaZulu-Natal police boss of using corruption allegations as part of a succession battle within the service

The Madlanga commission heard further testimony of police corruption on Monday from an anonymous police investigator who alleged that senior Gauteng officials were linked to drug cartels and criminal syndicates implicated in contract killings.
 Photo: Paul Botes

Political killings task team had achieved its purpose, says Sibiya

The deputy national commissioner defended the disbandment of the team, saying its budget should support broader crime-fighting efforts

Suspended Deputy national commissioner for crime detection Shadrack Sibiya. Photo: X

Shadrack Sibiya denies any links to alleged Mchunu middleman Brown Mogotsi

The deputy national commissioner said he doubts the authenticity of WhatsApp messages allegedly implicating him

Suspended deputy national police commissioner Shadrack Sibiya. (X)

Shadrack Sibiya raises conflict of interest concerns over police corruption probe committee members

The deputy national police commissioner argued that two members of parliament should recuse themselves because they are complainants in criminal cases against him

Suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu. Photo: Delwyn Verasamy

Mchunu’s chief of staff says national commissioner ordered search and seizure to destroy evidence

Nkabinde claimed the purpose of the operation was to delete crucial evidence that would disprove Mkhwanazi’s allegations

State capture represents a particularly pernicious form of corruption, wherein private actors exert undue influence over public policy and state mechanisms to serve their own interests, thereby severely undermining democratic governance. (Delwyn Verasamy, M&G)

The perpetual nature of capture in South Africa

South Africa is not experiencing an episodic crisis, one that can be resolved through commissions and reports

The technology’s unalterable digital trail would reduce fiscal leaks and prevent large-scale corruption draining the public purse. Photo: Supplied

AI, blockchain can deal with corruption but not with accountability

Albania’s AI ‘minister’ for procurement highlights tech’s potential in fighting corruption but South Africa’s experience shows accountability is key

Eastern Cape judge president Selby Mbenenge. (Office of the Chief Justice/ S Lioners)

Will judiciary sexual harassment policy change court culture?

While regarded as a bold step, questions remained about whether judges and magistrates will embrace its implementation

Auditor general Tsakani Maluleke has repeatedly made recommendations to improve municipalities’ performances but to little effect. Photo: GCIS

There’s a crisis of accountability in local government

Revitalise municipal accountability by ensuring the effective implementation of the auditor general’s recommendations

the country’s government debt to GDP ratio is unsustainable at 73.45%. In other words, our debt stock is worth nearly three-quarters of the total value of goods and services produced in the country in any given year. (Waldo Swiegers/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The economic state of the nation

Weighty headwinds face South Africa, with its government debt to gross domestic product ratio of 73.45% and a budget deficit of 5% of GDP