politics
politics
Call for Transparency Over Party Funding
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says that a toxic blend of secret money and political influence is creating a ceremonial undermining of South Africa’s democracy.
ISS senior researcher, Judith February, argues that there is no way of know when the corporate and private world are investing in political parties for favours because the country does not regulate private funding of political parties.
She is of the view that, “We have no way of knowing when private or corporate interests try to buy political favours in South Africa,” further stating the need for a legislation to enable transparency and prevent the potentially corrupting influence of secret money on politics and government.”
To read the article titled, ‘Dodgy donations’ undermine SA’s democracy,” click here.Source:The CitizenZambia Speaks Out on NGO Act
The Zambian Ministry of Community Development Mother and Child Health says it is still awaiting correspondence from the Ministry of Justice on the implementation of the Non-Governmental Organisation Act of 2009.
The ministry’s deputy Minister, Jean Kapata, says the response from the Ministry of Justice would determine the fate of all non-governmental organisations (NGOs) that have rejected to register under the Act.
Kapata says the registration has since closed, adding that the NGOs that are not yet registered will have themselves to blame if deregistered.
To read the article titled, “Response from Ministry of Justice would determine fate of all NGOs that have refused to register-Kapata,” click here.Source:Lusaka TimesEqual Rights Key to Thriving Societies
North West Premier, Thandi Modise, says equal rights and opportunities for women are crucial to building healthy economies and societies.
Modise’s comments come as the country joined the world in celebrating International Women's Day on Saturday, 8 March 2014.
In a press statement, Modise explains that, "Women's full and equal participation in the political and economic arena is crucial to democracy and justice, because equal rights and opportunity underpin healthy economies and societies.”
To read the article titled, “Equal rights key to thriving societies - Premier Modise,” click here.Source:All AfricaLeaders Fail to Prioritise Water and Sanitation
Millions of people in Southern Africa still lack access to latrines and clean drinking water, according to WaterAid.
In its latest report titled ‘In From Promise to Reality’, the organisation states that the majority of southern Africans are living in an "unrelenting struggle against sanitation and water poverty."
The report that accuses governments in the region of failing to prioritise their plight, adding that Southern African leaders have fallen behind on their promises to boost public spending on basic services, with the poorest and most vulnerable people hardest hit.
To read the article titled, “Southern African leaders fail to prioritise water and sanitation,” click here.Source:The GuardianSouth Africa Calls for Peace in Ukraine
Department of International Relations & Cooperation (DIRCO) says that South Africa has called for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
DIRCO spokesperson, Nelson Kgwete, states that, "The South African government would like to express its deep concern about the unfolding political situation in Ukraine."
South Africa's foreign policy favoured and promoted peaceful resolution of conflicts and South Africa therefore urged all parties in the stand-off to settle the crisis through dialogue.
To read the article titled, “SA calls for peace in Ukraine,” click here.Source:News 24Nigeria’s Homophobic Laws Criticised
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) urges South Africa to add its voice to calls for Nigeria to review its homophobic legislation.
SAHRC spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, states that, "Since 18 January [2014], dozens of people have already been arrested in Nigeria in terms of the new law."
Mangena further adds that, the South African government should seek to exert influence over other African countries to follow good human rights practices.
To read the article titled, “South Africa should speak up against homophobic laws: SAHRC,” click here .Source:Times LiveMalawi Under Pressure From Aid Donors
President of Malawi, Joyce Banda, is under pressure from foreign aid donors and is facing a tough re-election battle.
Banda has promised forensic audit of suspected government corruption over the last decade.
She says the audit, which is backed by Britain and the European Union, will help reveal the extent of corruption in the impoverished southern African state.
To read the article titled, “Malawi promises forensic audit as donors freeze funds,” click here.Source:The CitizenMswati Criticised Over Rights Violations
According to the 2013 Freedom House Report, Swaziland remains the last supreme autocratic monarchy on the continent and this has led to citizens facing various human rights violations under King Mswati III’s government.
The report finds that the parliamentary elections held in September 2013 have had no impact on reforming the escalating human rights and humanitarian crisis facing the country.
According to the United Nations Programmes on HIV/AIDS, one of the many violations for which the king has been openly criticised is the government’s negligent approach to its HIV/AIDS programme.
The country that has the highest HIV/AIDS rate in the world of 26 percent.
To read the article titled, “Eating cow dung while Mswati lives large: video,” click here.Source:Times LiveThink Tanks Hold Govts Accountable - ISS
The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) says that that think tanks are there to research issues such as service delivery.
ISS executive director, Jakkie Cilliers, says the perception that think tanks are there to criticise the government is not true.
Cilliers, who is of the view that think tanks are there to hold the government accountable on behalf of civil society, adds that they have the responsibility to look at how African leaders can invest their countries’ income.
To read the article titled, “Think tanks to hold governments accountable: ISS,” click here.Source:SABC NewsCall to Distribute Condoms in Prisons Rejected
Zambia rejects non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are calling for the distribution of condoms to inmates in prisons, saying the move will promote homosexuality and sodomy, which are against the country’s laws.
Some NGOs have been advocating for the distribution of condoms in prisons as a way of reducing sexually transmitted disease.
Home Affairs minister, Ngosa Simbyakula, states that government is not in support of the calls and asked what the condoms will be used for.
To read the article titled, “No to condoms in our jails, says Zambia,” click here.Source:News 24
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