Following a forensic investigation ordered by Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya, more allegations of widespread irregularities at the National Development Agency (NDA), including the hiring of a private intelligence company to vet staff and investigate other NGOs, are detailed in documents obtained by the Mail & Guardian last week.

A senior black manager at the Post Office said she was told this week she could not book into an upmarket hotel in Bushbuckridge because she was black. But the hotel administration has denied this, saying she was prevented from entering because she had not made prior reservations.

Yes, there are power struggles. Yes, there is corruption. And some councillors do not always understand their role as public representatives. But the majority of Gauteng local councils are sustainable — and residents are happy with service delivery. So says minister for Gauteng development planning and local government Trevor Fowler

Corrupt African National Congress members who occupy senior positions in the government and the civil service have received a tongue-lashing from Cabinet ministers and senior leaders of the organisation.

They all quote PAC founder Robert Sobukwe, owe allegiance to the Pan Africanism epitomised by the gallant Nkrumah and Garvey, and are mostly intellectual heavyweights like Dr Motsoko Pheko, Dr Snail Mgwebi and Dr Stanley Mogoba. But it has become notable that PAC members cannot hold a meeting without somebody staging a walkout, singing songs, denouncing the leaders or squabbling over position.

Former Mpumalanga minister of health Sibongile Manana has refused to take responsibility for fraud and corruption in her department — corruption that led to R6-million set aside for HIV/Aids projects being wasted.

The knives are out at the National Development Agency (NDA), with staff at the organisation insisting that a ministerially ordered investigation into employment irregularities and misuse of funds be transparent.

Former Pan Africanist Congress leader Thami ka Plaatjie has quit politics and joined the National Development Agency (NDA) as a strategy and policy coordinator. But his appointment is already controversial.

Social workers are leaving the profession in droves, discouraged by low salaries and overwork as well as by poor — and often dangerous — working conditions. Minister of Social Development Zola Skweyiya has declared social work a ”scarce skill”.