Author:sharmini-naidoo

Pristine books, broken systems and the clean audit accounting mirage October 5, 2026 A clean audit sounds like the ultimate seal of financial approval. But, as SHARMINI NAIDOO notes, South Africa’s procurement scandals show why good accounting cannot answer every governance question. “We have closed the taps on irregular expenditure and turned the Department of Transport (DoT) into a model of public finance compliance,” Deputy Minister of Transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa recently declared. This followed the announcement that the DoT had […]

Private pay, public risk: The great SOC illusion September 9, 2026 South Africa’s State-owned companies (SOCs) promise private-sector discipline, yet taxpayers still carry the downside. SHARMINI NAIDOO examines whether executive pay, perks and accountability have drifted dangerously apart in South Africa’s SOCs. In 2011, when the Companies Act 71 of 2008 formally came into effect, a major structural change swept through South Africa’s public sector. State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that had previously operated as government departments were officially reclassified as State-Owned […]

Why filling up takes forever August 20, 2026 South African motorists may blame attendants for slow forecourt stops, but the economics of fuel retail tell a more complicated story. SHARMINI NAIDOO explains how convenience is increasingly shaping profitability nationwide.  Most motorists dread service station visits, especially if they are in a hurry. They are inclined to wait until the fuel gauge is running on empty before turning into a forecourt, bracing themselves for a long wait because, inevitably, what should […]

Local is lekker: luxurious incarceration? July 23, 2026 Only in South Africa will you supposedly be treated to meals made from the “finest” ingredients – costing the same as imported delicacies – while you are being rehabilitated! The Parliament Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services recently uncovered a massive price-gouging scandal linked to the Department of Correctional Services’ (DCS’) procurement of perishable and non-perishable goods from 115 service providers. To put things into perspective, here’s a comparison of retail prices and […]

Fair is foul and foul is fair June 3, 2026 In an era shaped by deception, manipulation and public spectacle, the themes explored by renowned playwright and poet William Shakespeare centuries ago continue to mirror the realities of politics, business and modern society. From smear campaigns and corruption to ambition, betrayal and power struggles, SHARMINI NAIDOO says the bard’s observations of human behaviour remain remarkably relevant today. Shakespeare was a maestro at capturing the essence of his times and mirroring […]

Criminality, political interference and corruption at SAPS – an utter disgrace! May 6, 2026 The Madlanga Commission has exposed shocking allegations of corruption, political interference and criminality within SAPS. SHARMINI NAIDOO says that this raises urgent questions about accountability, whistleblower protection and the true cost to South Africans. Even amid the deepening fuel crisis, the proceedings of the Madlanga Commission – also known as the Judicial Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System […]

Fuel prices surge as global tensions escalate April 7, 2026 Global tensions in the Middle East are sending shockwaves through oil markets, with direct consequences for South Africa. As fuel prices, supply and economic stability hang in the balance, understanding these impacts is essential. SHARMINI NAIDOO unpacks the situation. From as early as the 1870s, South Africa has been part of the global economy. It suffered isolation during the apartheid era but is now fully integrated back into the global […]

Water shouldn’t be delivered on trucks … February 19, 2026 Water is a basic human right – yet in South Africa, criminal networks often profit from its absence, using tankers to replace the pipes the government has long abandoned. “Water is essential for life and is supposed to be a basic right,” notes the United Nations (UN), recognising access to water as a human right fundamental to “everyone’s health, dignity and prosperity”. The right to water has also been provided […]

Bring back our humanity February 9, 2026 If you’re still recovering from the whirlwind of the previous year, you are not alone. SHARMINI NAIDOO says that recent months have exposed troubling gaps in how we approach road safety and collective responsibility in South Africa.  At the start of the year, we saw severe weather conditions sweep across South Africa and other parts of the world. On the home front, this prompted the declaration of a National State of Disaster in […]

Piercing the SOE veil December 2, 2025 South Africans have paid billions to rescue failing State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) crippled by corruption, mismanagement and zero accountability – while executives walk away enriched and taxpayers are left bleeding. SHARMINI NAIDOO says that this needs to stop. Over the past 15 years, South Africans have paid R521 billion to bail out corrupt and mismanaged SOEs, according to Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana. In reality, the figure may be closer to R670 billion or […]