Jeremy’s weekly wrap – Moneyweb

A politically charged house raid, malfeasance in the lottery space and the IEC’s monetary hardship were just some of the high-profile news stories I covered on Moneyweb@Midday this week.

The Johannesburg home of Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, the parliamentary speaker, was the focus of a high-stakes political drama following a raid by the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) investigating directorate. Mapisa-Nqakula has welcomed the raid but maintains her innocence amid the unfolding allegations.

However, she also announced on Thursday that she would be taking a leave of absence in the wake of the allegations.

The nature of the allegations against her, combined with the steps taken by the NPA to conduct a raid on her property, suggests significant potential ramifications within the political landscape of South Africa.

This situation places her at the centre of a narrative involving legal challenges and political accountability.

Political commentator TK Pooe weighed in on the situation, saying the raid could either undermine her position or, depending on the outcomes, reinforce her stance of innocence. The broader political community and the public are keenly watching how this high-profile case will influence perceptions of governance and accountability in South Africa, marking a critical juncture in the country’s ongoing efforts to combat corruption and uphold the integrity of its public officials.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

Reporting from the website news service GroundUp highlighted that out of fifteen forensic reports into fraud and corruption commissioned by the previous board of the National Lotteries Commission (NLC), only two were fully implemented.

NLC Commissioner Jodi Scholtz discussed the content of these reports, which identified issues such as a misunderstanding of roles, the need for better reporting to the South African Police Service, and improvements in internal processes and grant agreements.

Scholtz attributed the failure to implement recommendations to a desire among individuals to conceal misconduct, suggesting underlying problems with the organisational culture and structure at the NLC.

In response to these challenges, the NLC has now undertaken various measures to address corruption and improve governance. Integrity testing, lifestyle audit policies, and anti-bribery and corruption programs based on international standards have been introduced. Furthermore, the NLC plans to lay criminal and civil charges against former board members.

Scholtz acknowledged the criticism that these actions might be too late but emphasised the commitment to correcting past mistakes. Efforts to quantify the fiscal impact of the corruption uncovered in the reports have tied the estimated losses to around R1.4 billion, according to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

To rebuild trust and ensure the proper allocation of funds, the NLC has revised its processes for vetting beneficiaries and projects, incorporating various compliance measures and internal controls.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.

With the election fast approaching, the Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac) voiced concerns about the undermining of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) by some political parties. Lawson Naidoo, Casac’s head, criticised unjustified attacks on the IEC’s credibility, highlighting instances where the newly established MK Party threatened disruption if not included in the election, and the Democratic Alliance seeking international oversight without real cause.

Naidoo emphasised the importance of working collaboratively with the IEC to ensure a fair electoral process.

He also stressed that despite the challenges faced by the IEC, including late legislative changes, signature requirements, and budget constraints, the organisation is well-prepared to conduct the elections. He called for law enforcement to be vigilant against any threats of violence or intimidation, underscoring the constitutional mandate to protect the IEC’s independence. Naidoo argued that any legitimate concerns about the IEC’s conduct should be addressed properly, rather than through baseless allegations, to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.

Naidoo also criticised the government and Parliament for not providing the IEC with sufficient resources and timely legislative updates, suggesting that despite these obstacles, the IEC has demonstrated commendable effort and dedication to conducting the elections.

You can also listen to this podcast on iono.fm here.