Saturday 31 October

Good governance and accountability

Press statement: SECTION27 congratulates Competition Commission on recent successes

SECTION27 congratulates the Competition Commission of South Africa on its recent groundbreaking and far-reaching successes in prosecuting anti-competitive behavior in the telecoms and construction sectors. Both these sectors are integral in improving the lives of South Africans through their role in information provision and communication (on the part of Telkom) and infrastructure development (by construction companies).

By Section27, ago

Statement: SECTION27 welcomes the judgement from the Supreme Court of the United States in USAID vs AOSI

SECTION27 welcomes the judgment from the Supreme Court of the United States in USAID v AOSI. The judgment declared a law making the denunciation of sex work a requirement to be eligible to receive funding from the US to combat HIV an unconstitutional violation of the right to freedom of speech. The judgment opens the door for much needed and previously prohibited work to realize the rights of sex workers and other people living with HIV or at risk of becoming infected with HIV.

By Section27, ago

Read a copy of Mark Heywood’s article “Corruption has created its own political economy” published in the M&G today, 5 April 2013

On the edges of Dieplsoot stands a half complete municipal building. Once intended as a library and offices, it has been surrendered to decay before it even came to life. A few years ago it seemed to symbolise a governmental intent to recognise and modernise Diepsloot. Now it’s just an unexplained shell. A free brick and building parts store.

By Section27, ago

Press statement by Detention Justice Forum

The recent deaths of prisoners at Groenpunt and St Alban’s prisons raise serious concerns about the ability of the Department of Correctional Services to guarantee the safety of prisoners. The Groenpunt death is particularly worrying as officials are implicated in the death of the prisoner, after an assault witnessed by members of the press and during a visit by members of the Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services. The use of excessive force is prohibited by the Correctional Services Act and the Constitution guarantees the right to life and the freedom and security of the person. The state, through the Department of Correctional Services, has an inescapable duty to provide safe and secure custody to all prisoners under conditions consistent with human dignity. This has been confirmed in several South African court decisions.

By Section27, ago

SECTION27 at the People’s Parliament, August 2012

The People’s Power People’s Parliament: A civil society conference on South Africa’s Legislatures, (“the conference”) was held from 13 – 15 August, 2012, at the Townhouse Hotel, Cape Town. The aim of the conference was to open a constructive dialogue with Parliament on behalf of civil society and take up the call to make Parliament more conducive to active citizenship.

By Section27, ago

SECTION27 Submission on the Discussion Document on the Transformation of the Judicial System and the Role of the Judiciary in the Developmental South African State

On 8 June 2012, SECTION27 made a submission on the “Discussion Document on the Transformation of the Judicial System and the role of the judiciary in the Developmental South African State”. SECTION27 made this submission because we believe that the voice of organisations working for social justice is crucial to debates over the role of the judiciary, especially considering the role that the judiciary has played in the achievement of important social justice victories. We also made the submission as part of our campaign to popularise and deepen an understanding of the Constitution amongst all people—particularly the least privileged amongst us.

Read the summary and full submission by clicking “read more” below

By Section27, ago

SECTION27 Submission to Lotteries Board to Fund Social Justice Work

On 22 May 2012, SECTION27 responded to the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund (NLDTF) call for submissions to assist the NLDTF in developing its funding priorities. SECTION27 dealt with the NLDTF funding practices and priorities in the submission and recommended that social justice and human rights programmes be prioritised for funding by the NLDTF in the next funding period. SECTION27 made this submission because we believe that this work is critically important in a participatory democracy and because there are statutory and constitutional obligations to fund this work and ensure its sustainability.

This submission is endorsed by: AIDS Foundation of South Africa, Atlantic Philanthropies, Equal Education, ProBono.org, RAITH Foundation, Rural Health Advocacy Project and Sonke Gender Justice.

Read the complete submission by clicking “read more” below.

By Section27, ago

SECTION27 welcomes today’s launch of Corruption Watch. We call for a mass mobilisation to expose and prosecute corruption.


Today, January 26 2012, SECTION27 welcomes the launch of Corruption Watch, an independent civil society-led organisation committed to strengthening the fight against corruption in South Africa. We offer our support to its Director, Staff and Board in the challenges that lie ahead. Successfully fighting corruption in South Africa will require bravery, vision and an organisation in which millions of people can place confidence. Our country’s future – particularly the fight against poverty and inequality – depends on it.

Start today by signing the pledge at www.corruptionwatch.org.za

By Section27, ago

Auditor General Releases damning report

  In August 2011 the Auditor General released a report on its performance audit of the infrastructure delivery process in provincial departments of Health and Education. The audit was conducted at all provincial departments of Health and Education and their implementing agents such as the department of public works.The report Continue Reading

By Section27, ago
WDA