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IDAC’s failures demand reform, not abolition
South Africa needs IDAC’s specialist anti-corruption capability, but the institution must be repaired and strengthened. Madlanga Commission testimony on South Africa’s Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) raises questions about the lawful use of...
Corruption in SA municipalities: a form of organised crime?
Organised corruption in local government disrupts the provision of essential services and erodes public trust in the state. The more organised, normalised and profitable corruption becomes in local government across South Africa, the less incentive there will be for...
Preventing corruption and organised crime: upstreaming interventions
The convergence of organised crime and corruption in South Africa calls for prevention measures that complement law enforcement. South Africa’s responses to corruption and organised crime focus on crisis management and enforcement. But lasting progress requires acting...
Upstreaming offers SA a smarter response to organised crime and corruption
As justice systems worldwide grapple with tech-driven financial crime, disruption and early intervention are becoming vital prevention tools. South Africa – one of the world’s youngest democracies – is currently resisting the global trend towards authoritarianism. The...
Future-proofing South African business against corruption
In a context of systemic corruption, business needs to lead the search for solutions. This policy brief highlights new research showing that integrity is in the long-term financial interests of companies. It presents two international good practice methods that...
The future of South Africa’s Special Investigating Unit
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is one of South Africa’s most effective anti-corruption agencies. It has a good civil litigation track record, an organisational culture of excellence and is supported by a dedicated Special Tribunal. Given the large scale of...
The Machine
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Why is fighting corruption challenging in developing countries?
South Africa needs to move beyond Western anti-corruption models and develop its own unique approach. Two leading global experts on anti-corruption – Dr Pallavi Roy, an economist from SOAS at UCL and Prof Sope Williams, a highly-regarded international expert in...
The Nigerian anti-corruption miracle
Some of Africa’s most successful anti-corruption projects come from Nigeria. Olusoji Apampa's anti-corruption reform project in Lagos Harbour, Nigeria, has reduced corruption by 96%. It took him ten years and a great deal of relationship-building, trust-building, hard...
Senior Leadership Appointments in the Criminal Justice Leaders
Independent and competent leaders are essential, but is there scope for better legal provisions regarding their appointments?
Corruption Prevention in South Africa
A focus on preventing corruption is key to our anti-corruption efforts. Read the full paper
Anti-Corruption in South Africa. Pathways to reform.
Strengthening existing institutions, prioritising prevention and engaging the private are needed to end corruption. Read the full paper
ISS Live: Driving Justice – how to ensure effective anti-corruption in South Africa
This event considers practical steps that can be taken by the Government of National Unity. This seminar is funded by United Kingdom Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and GIZ. The ISS is also grateful for support from the members of the ISS Partnership...
Emerging theory for effective anti-corruption reform in South Africa
Developing country theorists claim that strategies should focus on human behaviour and economic incentives, not legal measures. To remedy systemic corruption in South Africa, policymakers must look beyond the discourse of transparency and accountability to emerging...
Rethinking anti-corruption in South Africa: pathways to reform
Strengthening existing institutions, prioritising prevention and engaging the private sector are needed to end corruption. This report analyses South Africa’s anti-corruption institutions in relation to international good practice. It highlights problems with their...
Public Finance Management Act No 1 of 1999 (PFMA)
The Treasury Regulations enacted in terms of the Public Finance Management Act 1 of 1999 (‘PFMA’) set out specific obligations on state organs to investigate corruption within public procurement. The PFMA and Treasury Regulations apply to national or provincial...
Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of 2000 (PAIA)
The Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) promotes transparency in Government, as well as in the private sector. To address and regulate matters associated with the implementation of the right to access information. Promotion of Access to Information Act 2 of...
Protected Disclosures Act 26 of 2000
The Protected Disclosures Act creates a framework for employees to disclose information about criminal or other irregular conduct in the workplace, and provides for protection against any employment-related reprisals as a result of such disclosures. Protected...
Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977
The Criminal Procedure Act governs all procedures that relate to criminal proceedings. This includes procedures for search and seizure, arrest, charges, bail, and pleas, including plea bargaining, evidence, sentencing and appeal. Criminal Procedure Act 51 of 1977 Open...
Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998 (POCA)
The Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) aims to combat organised crime; money laundering, criminal gang activities and racketeering activities. POCA also provides for the forfeiture of assets obtained through criminal activities. Prevention of Organised Crime Act...
Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004
The Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act is the key statute on corruption in South Africa. It provides for the general offence of corruption as well as specific offences. It also provides for investigative measures, as well as preventative measures in...