CORRUPTION IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK-TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL

CORRUPTION IN THE NEWS THIS WEEK -TRANSPARENCY INTERNATIONAL This week, we're looking at Panama and South Africa, where corruption and inequality have been at the top of the agenda in recent elections. While Panama’s economic growth is outpacing most of its neighbours, it has one of the highest inequality rates in the Americas. At the same time, the country has been engulfed in various corruption scandals over the past years, including the Odebrecht bribery scheme, wiretapping by former president Martinelli and, of course, the ‘Panama Papers’. This historic investigation revealed Panama's role in hiding wealth for the global rich and powerful – while vast parts of its own population, especially in rural areas, continue to live in poverty. Panama’s newly elected president has pledged to address inequality and corruption, and our chapter will be keeping a close eye on whether he is delivering. In South Africa, 25 years after the end of Apartheid, inequality levels are among the highest in the world: The richest 10 per cent own over two thirds of the wealth, and more than half of the country lives in poverty. Corruption is rampant across all levels of government, and this only makes matters worse: it affects income distribution, the use of aid flows as well as decisions about public expenditure. Inequality, in turn, can perpetuate corruption, as the wealthy few protect their privilege through dodgy deals and illegal practices. This week, the party of ex-president Zuma clung on to power in a general election. They should finally deliver concrete anti-corruption measures. But high-ranking members face corruption allegations, and our chapter’s pre-election analysis showed that anti-corruption commitments in most parties’ manifestos were vague at best. Governments in Panama, South Africa, and everywhere else for that matter, should prove that they work for the whole population. Tackling corruption is a good place to start. What do you think? Let us know @anticorruption!

News from Transparency International

Venezuela: strong institutions needed to address organised crime Corruption in the top echelons of the Venezuelan government has led to extreme instability and weak state institutions, and allows organised crime networks to act with impunity all across the country. Reforms are desperately needed. Versión en español disponible aquí.

New on Voices for Transparency

A wedding vow in Indonesia Planning a wedding can be stressful enough without petty bribery becoming part of the wedding vows. One couple in Indonesia had to decide whether their wedding day should be a time to pursue a simple act of defiance in the face of everyday corruption.

Corruption in the news this week Top Stories Global: The Trump Organization’s problem with possible money laundering Think Progress (8 May)

European Union: Lux Leaks confession: Jean-Claude Juncker admits he made ‘major mistake’ ICIJ (7 May)

Nigeria: Shell, Eni officials named in $1 billion Nigeria lawsuit Bloomberg (7 May)

Latest News Global: Ex-Fugees rapper poised to be charged in case tied to Obama funding, 1MDB Bloomberg (10 May)

Brazil: Ex-President Temer turns himself in on corruption charges Al Jazeera (10 May)

Guyana: Will Guyana soon be the richest country in the world? BBC News (9 May) MANISHANKAR CEO-ANTI-CORRUPTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS MOVEMENT®-CHENNAI Email: anticorruption.org2007@gmail.com. Mobile: 91 9087856137 Follow us on- twitter : @anticorp_2007