Open Secrets ZA
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Open Secrets holds the profiteers of economic crime, human rights abuses, and war to account. We go where it’s hard to disrupt networks of power.
Open Secrets directer, Hennie van Vuuren will join Thamsanqa Zanoxolo Hlatshwayo in a discussion on the Tyranny of Swaziland's Absolute Monarch! Join us on Thursday evening to hear about the unchecked political power of King Mswati III & the capturing of a state. RSVP: martin@wwmp.org.za
Our latest investigation explores the hidden infrastructure behind SA's digital grants system & the questions it raises when essential public services rely on private companies. 🚨 READ PART 1: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-07-25-a-peek-behind-south-africas-digitalised-grants-system/
Afrophobia has no place in a just and democratic South Africa. Today, we stand in solidarity with migrants, refugees, and foreign nationals living in South Africa. Open Secrets condemns the country-wide protests that have threatened the lives and livelihoods, particularly of African migrants.
Open Secrets is launching Who Owns South Africa: Private Pensions edition! See you later today at the launch event! 📍 Homecoming Centre 📅 24 June 2026 🕕 18:00 Download the report here:https://www.opensecrets.org.za/investigation-who-owns-south-africa-private-pensions/
Join Open Secrets for the launch of the fourth Who Owns South Africa investigative report! 📅 24 June 2026 ⏰ 6PM 📍Homecoming Centre Get your tickets here: https://www.quicket.co.za/events/379696-who-owns-south-africa-private-pensions-launch/?ref=organiser-profile#/
Civil society says the draft whistleblower Bill is a step forward—but not enough. 🚨 READ: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-05-05-civil-society-welcomes-draft-whistleblower-bill-but-warns-that-serious-risks-remain/?dm_source=blocks-grid-square&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform
The deadline for the Open Secrets internships has been extended! Are you interested in holding the private sector to account? APPLY HERE: https://www.opensecrets.org.za/https-form-jotform-com-260983599811573/
Cupcake's economy got you down? Open Secrets' Campaigns and Investigations internships might be the solution to your problems. We're looking for two candidates to join our team - apply if you hate economic crime and human rights abuses! 📍 APPLY HERE: https://form.jotform.com/260983599811573
Today marks 38 years since the legendary Dulcie September's assassination. Her family, who have lived through unimaginable pain, are still seeking justice. Thirty-eight years later, questions remain: who killed Dulcie September, and who ensured the truth stayed buried?
Last call for our workshop with Yetu Infotech Collective about the people versus private telecoms! 📍JOHANNESBURG, 24 MARCH 2026: The Forge, Braamfonetin. 📍BOTSHABELO, 26 MARCH 2026: Botshabelo Social Development Office. REGISTER NOW: https://freeinternet.africa/digitalage
Have calls to justice been disconnected? 👀 Join us and Yetu Infotech Collective for a workshop on private telecoms and community-based networks! 📍JOHANNESBURG, 24 MARCH: The Forge 📍BOTSHABELO, 26 MARCH: Botshabelo Social Development Office REGISTER HERE: https://freeinternet.africa/digitalage
🚨 Join us and the Institute for Economic Justice on 11 March 2026 at 13:00 (SAST) for an important discussion on South Africa’s digital welfare fraud crackdown! 🔗 Register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3617726213756/WN_9AdzXcAzTFS83-gYdrbF7g
South Africa promised transparency in arms exports. So why is the NCACC still refusing to explain weapons sales to Saudi Arabia and the UAE? READ Open Secrets' Ntokozo Dladla's op-ed: https://groundup.org.za/article/sa-arms-control-committee-delays-producing-record-of-weapons-sales-for-five-years/
📢 Open Secrets is looking for a new full-time campaigner! We investigate economic crime, expose power, and use research, advocacy & the law to defend human rights. Ready to hold the powerful accountable? APPLY HERE: https://form.jotform.com/Open_Secrets/campaigner2026
Reminder that Open Secrets' Ra'eesa Pather wrote that "a judgment in Mozambique has implicated Pam Golding Properties in a major corruption scandal" 👀 READ: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-02-17-pam-golding-faces-fallout-over-managemengement-of-millions-bribes-paid-to-former/
📢 Open Secrets is looking for a new campaigner! Are you an advocate for social justice, accountability and transparency? Are you keen to work with a small team of investigators and civil society activists? APPLY HERE: https://form.jotform.com/Open_Secrets/campaigner2026
Join Sam Husseini for a PSC talk on press freedom and international law! Open Secrets Ra'eesa Pather will be in conversation with him, Lester Kiewit, Jaamia Galant and Martin Jansen about accountability in global affairs. 📍 Tomorrow, Saturday 21 February ⏰ 3pm-5pm 🏠 Community House
Iranian film maker Jafar Panahi will screen 'Taxi Tehran' tonight at the The Old Granary! Open Secrets' Ra'eesa Pather in conversation about Iran & the intersectionality of people's liberation. 📍 TONIGHT Refreshments: 17:30 Screening: 18:00 Discussion: 19:30 RSVP: https://tinyurl.com/irfilming
🎄 We’re powering down for December, but our commitment to exposing private-sector crimes and human rights abuses never takes a holiday. Thank you for supporting our work this year. See you in the New Year ✨ SUPPORT US HERE: https://www.opensecrets.org.za/donations/support-open-secrets-v2/
Today marks the 30th Reconciliation Day in a democratic nation. Let us remember that the goal is still for all struggles to be heard and for all communities to be protected. Apartheid continues in many forms, and it remains our collective duty to end it.
In case you missed it, give our article on the renewable industry a read. Will green energy serve communities—or just shareholders? Find out here: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-26-profit-over-people-a-spotlight-on-south-africas-contested-energy-landscape/
BREAKING: Gag order lifted! Open Secrets victory in interdict filed by Integrated Convoy Protection READ THE MEDIA STATEMENT HERE: https://www.opensecrets.org.za/press-release-gag-order-lifted-open-secrets-victory-in-urgent-interdict-filed-by-armoured-vehicle-company-integrated-convoy-protection/
Who benefits off the renewable industry and at what cost? Abby May and Zen Mathe take a deep dive into the energy landscape and the potential replication of existing inequities from the fossil fuel industry. READ NOW: https://loom.ly/lu6Nkgw
GAG ORDER UPDATE: Open Secrets will be appearing in the Western Cape High Court on Thursday 27 November 2025, before Acting Deputy Judge President Erasmus. We remain unable to comment on the case, and will provide an update as soon as possible.
With COP 30 in full swing, Open Secrets will be taking a deep dive into the impact of privatisation and private finance on South Africa's Renewable Energy sector. Stay tuned for the release next week!
🚨 GAG ORDER UPDATE Open Secrets notes the media statement issued by the Office of the Chief Justice earlier today. Open Secrets maintains that as the respondent it is unable to provide further information on this matter at this stage.
The Report of the Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression (2022) “societal relevance of independent, free and pluralistic news media – as a pillar of democracy...
The @unhrc.bsky.social Committee General Comment (2011) “[a] free, uncensored and unhindered press or other media is essential in any society to ensure freedom of opinion and expression…It constitutes one of the cornerstones of a democratic society.”
The Constitutional Court [2022] “A common feature of SLAPP suits is that the primary aim of the litigation is not to enforce a legitimate right. The objective is to silence or fluster the opponent, tie them up with paperwork or bankrupt them with legal costs.