CORRUPTION NEWS ROUND-UP: South Africa's government loses billions to graft, Anna Hazare's team begins to splinter, corruption rife in China construction industry and Kuwait's Foreign Minister resigns amid bribery scandal

LONDON (TrustLaw) - Here is our selection of this week’s anti-corruption stories from TrustLaw and other media:

Global

Global business regulation improving, World Bank says

TrustLaw, UK

The majority of the world’s economies implemented reforms in the last year that improved business conditions for local companies, a report by the World Bank says.

Africa

Nigeria member of parliament criticises citizens for hailing corruption

TrustLaw, Senegal

A Nigerian member of parliament says bad governance is pervasive in the West African country because corrupt people are hailed as heroes for their wealth.

Whistle blows for start of South Africa’s anti-corruption week

West Cape News, South Africa

Church Square in central Cape Town reverberated with the ear-splitting sound of whistles being blown as the Open Democracy Advice Centre of South Africa (ODAC) launched National Whistleblowing Week.

South Africa loses billions to negligence and corruption

Los Angeles Times, U.S.

The head of South Africa’s anti-corruption agency told the country’s parliament that around 20 percent of all government procurements, or about $3.8 billion, go missing each year – some of it stolen, the rest untraceable because of negligence.

South Asia & Asia-Pacific

More than $500 million misappropriated in Vietnam

TrustLaw, Thailand

More than 11.4 trillion VND ($545.7 million) of state funds were found to have been misappropriated between October and July, Thanh Nien News reported, citing a report by the Government Inspectorate.

India ex-politician in hospital following graft arrest - report

TrustLaw, UK

A high profile former Indian politician has been taken to hospital, a day after he was arrested on corruption charges.

Serious cracks surface in ‘Team Anna’ unity

The Wall Street Journal (India Real Time), U.S.

Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare has lost two of team members after they quit alleging the movement was mired in confusion and had taken a political turn away from its resolute apolitical stance previously.

Corruption ‘growing problem’ in Macau: report

Macau Daily Times, Macau

Widespread corruption linked to the gaming industry is “a major and growing problem in Macau,” a report by the U.S. Congressional-Executive Commission on China warned.

Indian anti-graft campaigner attacked during TV interview

The Telegraph, UK

One of India’s leading anti-corruption campaigners was violently beaten by right-wing nationalist activists as he gave a television interview to one of the country’s news channels.

Corruption still rife in China construction industry, anti-graft agency says

China Daily, China

Despite persistent campaigns and tough penalties in recent years, corruption in infrastructure projects is still pervasive, China's anti-graft agencies have warned.  

Middle East

Kuwait Foreign Minister resigns over graft scandal

Kuwait Times, Kuwait

Kuwait’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Sabah has abruptly resigned from office having become caught up in a graft scandal involving several lawmakers.

Europe

Ex-London police detectives cleared as corruption retrial collapses

The Guardian, UK

One of the most significant police anti-corruption cases in modern UK history collapsed after two former detectives, who had both served lengthy jail sentences, were cleared at a retrial.

Czech police looking into possible corruption in pardon granting

CTK, Czech Republic

Czech police have started looking into possible corruption in the granting of presidential pardons after a Czech weekly newspaper alleged that a former police officer’s presidential pardon was bought.

North America

Public enquiry into Quebec construction corruption expected

TrustLaw, UK

The premier of the Canadian province of Quebec is expected to announce a public enquiry into allegations of endemic corruption in the province’s construction industry.