Conflict of interest

Politicians are obliged to declare conflicts of interest.  This is so that activities like procurement are carried out in as objective a way as possible – in other words, the best organisation should get the job.  See this article for a discussion on this: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2020-08-12-ace-magashule-claims-nothing-in-law-stops-politicians-families-from-doing-business-with-government-not-so-fast-sg/ (2020)

Lexis Nexis published a guideline on recognising conflicts of interest in June 2019, find it here: https://www.lexisnexis.co.za/news/data-services/steps-to-help-recognise-conflicts-of-interest

Internationally conflicts of interest are attracting attention as well – the concept of a conflict of interest is the same, but how its dealt with may differ from country to country (August 2020.  See https://www.thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/2020/08/trumps-new-postmaster-general-exposed-for-massive-conflicts-of-interest-in-new-viral-video-trumpkillsusps/

Also see our module on this topic – it’s vital you understand conflicts of interest under the LPA as well.