Insights
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Aberjhani
WE KEEP OUR CLIENTS UP-TO-DATE WITH BEST PRACTICES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF WHISTLEBLOWING FROM AROUND THE WORLD
We monitor local and global developments in the fields of whistleblowing, governance, ethics, compliance and anti-corruption on an ongoing basis to bring you evidence-based recommendations for the effective management of your ethics hotline and the creation of a workplace culture of integrity.
Latest News A recent report by Public Protector Thuli Madonsela found that the Department of Justice ignored the issues reported of a whistle-blower and failed to take proper action of allegations of maladministration. The complainant only known as “Mrs M”, claims she had been victimised and harassed after she had uncovered fellow employees were misappropriating funds. Read…
Whistle Blowing Art theft is the third most lucrative crime in the world, after drugs and illicit arms sales, according to Interpol and the FBI. However, in South Africa it is not very common, despite our high crime rate. Last Sunday (11th) five artworks were stolen from the Pretoria Art Museum’s permanent collection, when three men, under…
Good Governance Transparency International’s latest 2011 Corruptions Index ranks South Africa 64 out of 182. (New Zealand is top and Somalia bottom). At 32 Botswana is the highest ranking African country. In spite of this, less than two out of 10 South Africans (18%) have blown the whistle based on the 2011 survey findings for the Open…
Good Governance 79% of respondents agree that corruption has become a way of life in the public sector, while 62% of respondents believe the same for the private sector in South Africa. These shocking statistics were the result of four consecutive polls on the website of The Ethics Institute of South Africa (www.ethicssa.org) run from April to…
Internal Audit The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) SA is hosting the 15th Southern African Internal Audit Conference from the 13 -15th of August 2012, at the Sandton Convention Centre. The event is expected to attract between 1000 – 1500 key decision makers and advisers within the internal auditing profession, from both private and public sector organizations….
Fraud Prevention A whistle blowing system system is an essential element of any fraud preventing policy. The Companies Act (2008) – Section 159 states in item (7)….“a public company and state owned company must directly or indirectly – (a) establish and maintain a system to receive disclosures contemplated in this section confidentially and act upon them a….
Good Governance The terminology surrounding “Corporate Governance” and its significance in the affairs of business, in general, has crept into the corporate world relatively recently. It is reflected in the King Reports I, II and III and is dealt with in detail in the new Companies Act (2008). A definition of corporate governance: “Corruption wrecks good governance,…
Ethics In its fourth global economic crime survey, Pricewaterhouse Coopers Southern Africa (PwC) reported the following – Whistle Blowing Programmes – Best Practice Tips: “Safeguard employees who report misconduct against any form of retaliation (i.e. threats, harassment and demotion) – allow for anonymous reporting. Make certain employees report incidents outside their chain of command –…
Whistle Blowing The effectiveness of the so-called “hotline or fraud line” in gathering vitally important information on wrong doing or detrimental behaviour in the workplace is significant. A Whistleblowing system is an innovative solution to dishonesty, fraud and other inappropriate behaviour in the workplace.It doesn’t matter whether you’re an employee, customer, supplier, manager or shareholder. With a…
Ethics It is reassuring for us to know that our strategic planning and overall vision for the company is in line with the current global sentiment. It was with great interest that I watched Carte Blanche as two well known advisors identified India and the rest of Africa as emerging markets. From their standpoint it appears…
Policy The government and the business community have placed enormous emphasis on corporate governance in the last few years. So much so that the new companies act (2008) which came into being in May this year (and which replaces to old act of 1973) clearly stipulates in section 159 that “a public company and a state-owned…
Ethics “Corruption wrecks good governance, inhibits development and sustains despotism. This can translate into economic and social failure; not only an affront to decency, but the tinder that ignites conflict. Stamping out corruption altogether may be unrealistic, making the world less hospitable to crooks, is not.” (Economist / London 10 April 2007) How then should organisations…
