Democracy & Social Justice

A heavy blow has been dealt to two European banks at the centre of the apartheid-era international arms money machine. Evidence in the possession of Open Secrets shows that the banks were responsible for channelling billions of dollars through a global money-laundering scheme used to secretly buy weapons.

Municipalities are responsible for planning and budgeting at the local level. They are required by law to involve communities in these decisions. This fact sheet explains how these processes work. It will help you to participate in your community's development and monitor the delivery of local government services.  

The fight to exercise ones’ rights is never an easy one, and this is what the community of Glenmore has found out in the last two-and-a-half years.

Until recently, South Africa's political parties have been largely united in their opposition to the regulation of their private funding.  After the ANC changed its stance last year, on the 27 March 2018, the National Assembly adopted the Political Party Funding Bill.

While Robert Mugabe’s departure after 37 years was widely welcomed, he was replaced by his former vicepresident in what was no less than a military coup. That Emmerson Mnangagwa has long been a member of the political establishment clearly raises doubts about his desire for meaningful political reform.

In South Africa, Jacob Zuma’s presidency posed the most difficult test yet to the country’s young democracy. This article offers a powerful portrait of the country’s public protector, Thuli Madonsela, who fearlessly “whispered truth to power” throughout the Zuma era.

The Equal Education Law Centre (EELC) uses legal advocacy, research, and litigation to advance the struggle for equal and quality education in South Africa.

In South Africa, Jacob Zuma’s presidency posed the most difficult test yet to the country’s young democracy but also boosted the political opposition. This article considers whether the opposition’s momentum can be maintained against a revived ANC under President Cyril Ramaphosa.

Heinrich Böll Stiftung: European Union and Heinrich Böll Stiftung: Paris will host South African speakers to discuss efforts to hold global banks accountable for newly-identified apartheid-era economic crimes.

Open Secrets - Secretariat of the People’s Tribunal - has invited 38 implicated parties to respond to the evidence submitted against them at the first People’s Tribunal on Economic Crime.