corruption - The African Mirror

Aug

2020

U.S. imposes sanctions on Zimbabwe businessman, company

THE United States on Wednesday imposed sanctions on Zimbabwean Kudakwashe Tagwirei, an adviser to President Emmerson Mnangagwa, accusing the prominent businessman of being corrupt and helping support the government of Zimbabwe. The U.S. Treasury Department in a statement said it blacklisted Tagwirei and Zimbabwe-based Sakunda Holdings, of which he is chief executive, accusing the businessman of using "opaque business dealings and his ongoing relationship with President Mnangagwa to grow his business empire dramatically and rake in millions of U.S. dollars." "Tagwirei and other Zimbabwean elites have derailed economic development and harmed the Zimbabwean people through corruption," said Deputy Treasury Secretary…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

South African corruption watchdog probes COVID-19 tenders

NEWS

ALEXANDER WINNING SOUTH Africa's anti-corruption watchdog has announced it was investigating irregularities in coronavirus-related tenders, the latest in a series of scandals that trade unions said showed the government's failure to tackle graft. The probes by the Public Protector come soon after investigators launched separate inquiries into the procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE) in Gauteng province, the country's economic heartland. President Cyril Ramaphosa staked his reputation on tackling graft when he replaced Jacob Zuma as head of state more than two years ago, but he is on the back foot after news reports alleging that politically connected individuals have…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

Ramaphosa threatens decisive harsh action against COVID-19 scavengers

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER SOUTH African President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in the face of corruption allegations faced by a senior official in his office and others in his party, the ANC, again threatened harsh and swift action against those involved in corruption in the R500-billion emergency COVID-19 relief package. In his weekly “Letter from the President”, Ramaphosa said corruption during a national disaster was a particularly heinous crime. The perpetrators, he promised yet again, would be dealt with decisively and harshly. Ramaphosa’s spokesperson Khusela Diko is on special leave after it emerged that her husband, Thandisizwe, had secured a R125-million tender…

Aug

2020

By The African Mirror

‘Ebola business’ concerns resurface as new Congo outbreak spreads

HEALTH

PHILIP KLEINFELD and ETIENNE MASANGO AS an outbreak of Ebola ratchets up in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s densely forested northwestern province of Équateur, warning signs are growing that corruption problems that dogged the last epidemic, in the conflict-torn east, risk being repeated. Eight weeks into the latest outbreak – which has infected 67 people and left 31 dead – several senior humanitarian officials involved in the response told The New Humanitarian that government officials have been trying to profit from relief funds, following a precedent set during the previous outbreak, which cost more than 2,200 lives between August 2018 and…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

COVID-19 corruption claims, Gauteng MEC placed on special leave

NEWS

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE ANC in Gauteng and the provincial government have taken a tough stance against corruption and two senior ANC officials implicated in a multimillion COVID-19 procurement scandal to immediately take a leave of absence while investigations into the matter continue. Gauteng Health MEC Dr. Bandile Masuku, his wife, Loyiso, who is the Johannesburg MMC for Group Corporate and Shared Services, has been asked to step aside while the ANC provincial integrity committee (PIC) probe into their role in the procurement is investigated. Khusela Diko, the spokesperson of President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose husband is also implicated in the…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

How parts of the media in Ghana aid — rather than fight — corruption

MEDIA FREEDOM

JOSEPH YAW ASOMAH, Assistant Professor, St. Thomas University (Canada) CORRUPTION is a significant obstacle to development, democratic consolidation and environmental security, particularly in the developing world. It involves a misuse of power in serving private ends at the public expense. Corruption occurs in both the public and private sectors. There are different forms of corruption. Political corruption is a classic example. It is often committed by politicians and top government officials acting alone or collaborating with other actors to advance private agendas. In democratic societies, free and independent private media can investigate and expose political corruption. They can also pressurise…

Jul

2020

By The African Mirror

Zambia health minister denies corruption charges in court

NEWS

ZAMBIA'S Health Minister on Thursday appeared before a Lusaka magistrate and denied four counts of corruption involving the alleged purchase of business shares and property with suspected proceeds of crime. This was the first time Chitalu Chilufya, 47, was asked to enter a plea in court since his arrest by the anti-corruption agency last month. He faces up to five years in jail if convicted. Chilufya's arrest is a test of the Zambian government's willingness to keep a promise to tackle graft amidst increased scrutiny by foreign holders of the country's massive debt. The charges against Chilufya cover the period…