• The Tenderpreneur and the Printing Firm: Wicknell Chivayo and Renform
    Aug 8 2024

    In this episode, host Mamello Mosiana dives deep into Zimbabwe’s latest corruption scandal involving the Zimbabwean Electoral Commission (ZEC). The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating a shocking case of money laundering and abuse of office, centered around an over-inflated tender by South African firm Renform and the politically connected businessman Wicknell Chivayo. Leaked audio and documents reveal outrageous price inflation, with R23 million invoiced for a server worth just R90,000, highlighting a staggering 235% cost escalation. This case shines a harsh light on the pervasive state capture and corruption plaguing Zimbabwe’s procurement processes.

    Join Mamello as she speaks with Owen Gagare, editor at News Hawks, and Michael Marchant, Head of Investigations at Open Secrets, to unpack the intricate details of this scandal. Together, they explore the implications for Zimbabwe’s future and the fight against corruption.

    Research by Nick Donovan and Michael Marchant.

    Learn more about this story

    Open Secrets is a non-profit organisation, we do not accept funding from governments or corporations. Instead, we rely on support from generous support of individual donors and partner organisations to fund our work. Donate here to support Open Secrets.

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    28 mins
  • Who stands to profit from a basic income grant? | Q&A with Open Secrets investigators
    Jul 26 2024

    In this episode of Open Secrets Radio, we discuss the key issues surrounding the potential implementation of a Basic Income Grant in South Africa and ask, who stands to profit?

    The discussion examines the concept of a basic income grant as a form of social protection; its potential to address poverty and inequality; and concerns around the digitization of South Africa’s grant system. Perhaps most importantly, we discuss what the potential for a basic income grant is given South Africa’s new Government of National Unity (GNU).

    This podcast is based on a 3-part article series by Open Secrets, published in GroundUp.

    Read all three articles in the series here

    https://www.opensecrets.org.za/ubig-series/

    Support Open Secrets:

    https://www.opensecrets.org.za/contact/#supportus

    Learn more about Open Secrets

    https://www.opensecrets.org.za

    Credits

    Guests: Abby May, Zen Mathe, Michael Marchant

    Host: Nolwazi Nene

    Music: Certified - Timothy Infinite - licensed from Epidemic Sound

    Image: Shakeelah Ismail

    Copyright: Open Secrets

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    24 mins
  • State Capture Report Part 1- Hits, Misses and Opportunities
    Jan 13 2022

    Following the release of part 1 of the State Capture Report, Open Secrets hosted a public Twitter Space, to break down the findings and recommendations of the report.

    Featuring: Hennie van Vuuren, Ra'eesa Pather, Michael Marchant, Zen Mathe, Khadija Sharife

    Music: Mamello Mosiana

    Read more here

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    1 hr and 43 mins
  • The role of South Africa's arms corporations in the war in Yemen
    Jun 30 2021

    Hlohi Ndlovu talks to Open Secrets investigators Zen Mathe and Michael Marchant about the corporations profiting from the war in yemen and how we can stop them.

    Visit opensecrets.org.za/yemen to learn more.

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    26 mins
  • We stand with Yemen
    Jun 7 2021

    Our court application to have government review decisions to export arms to Saudi Arabia & the UAE.

    Hosted by: Mamello Mosiana & Zen Mathe

    Music: Kai Engel- Imminence; Kecap Tuyul- A Simple Dream

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    12 mins
  • Challenge to secretive regulations for head of South Africa’s financial sector regulator.
    May 13 2021

    Court application by Open Secrets & UBC, represented by CALS, to challenge the appointment process of the Commissioners of the Financial Sector Conduct Authority.

    Hosts: Mamello Mosiana, Michael Marchant, Zen Mathe

    Music: Mello C- Pasikolu (licensed through Creative Commons)

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    9 mins