Corruption Watch aims to improve police transparency

Non-profit organisation Corruption Watch (CW) encourages communities to hold law enforcement accountable.

In line with its aim to eradicate corruption in South Africa, the organisation last month launched Veza, an interactive data tool that allows the public to evaluate and rate police stations according to the level of service provided.

According to a statement by the organisation, the stand-out advantage of this tool is its ability to equip a wide range of people (researchers, journalists, activists and communities) with the knowledge and insight to demand improved and more accountable policing. “The Veza tool provides information at national, provincial and district level. It features interactive maps of police corruption trends and hotspots, information relating to the public’s rights when encountering the police in various situations, and data on all 1 150 police stations across the country, such as locations, resources, budget and personnel.”

Users will not only be able to rate and review police stations based on their personal experiences, compare the resources of up to four stations and commend honest and ethical officers but also report incidents of corruption and police misconduct.

“The launch of the Veza tool signifies a new era for Corruption Watch as we explore how transparency, big data and accessible technology can be used to combat corruption and advance broader social justice issues,” said the organisation’s head of stakeholder relations and campaigns, Kavisha Pillay.

Pillay added that this tool also provides law enforcement and government with the opportunity to embrace the concept of open data and public access to information. Law enforcement themselves will benefit and gain valuable insight into the allocation and use of resources of their own stations.

Details: www.corruptionwatch.org.za, www.veza.org.za