The Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa

Mission

The Institute for Accountability in Southern Africa (IFAISA) is devoted to upholding constitutionalism in Southern Africa through the inculcation of the values of accountability and responsiveness to the needs of the people of the region in its governments, parastatal organizations and civil society, including business and industry.

Definition of Accountability

Accountability is the obligation of those with power or authority to explain their performance and justify their decisions.

IFAISA is devoted to ensuring that the rule of law is upheld and enforced for the good of all by ensuring that governments, parastatals and the private sector are held to account.

IFAISA fills an existing gap in the NPO sector by providing a public service that monitors and responds openly to abuses of power and unlawful conduct by those who have power.

WE HAVE IDENTIFIED 5 FOCUS AREAS TO ACHIEVE THIS GOAL:

1) Public Interest Litigation

When all other means of exacting accountability have failed, "lawfare" is often the only sustainable and viable option.

To date IFAISA has participated in:

Challenging the constitutionality of legislation which replaced the Scorpions with the Hawks when Bob Glenister's legal team, led by IFAISA's Paul Hoffman SC, saw to the reinstatement of an independent crime busting unit by South African's Constitutional Court in a landmark judgment.
Litigation to compel the appointment of a commission of inquiry to investigate and expose wrongdoing and corruption related to the arms deals, which has been successful.
Complaints to the Public Protector concerning the SAPS leases in Pretoria and Durban and other aspects of the public administration in South Africa, both before and after 1994.
The challenge to the efficacy of the Dräger breathalyser focusing on road safety by using reliable and objective testing in order to have cogent evidence against those who break the law by drinking and driving.
The bread price-fixing class action.
Intervening in court cases as 'a friend of the court' (amicus curiae)

2) Public Awareness and Education

Inculcating a value system of accountability and transparency requires that ordinary citizens stand up with courage, conviction and commitment to call on those in power to be responsible for their actions and decisions.

IFAISA recognises the need to inform, educate and empower the public through:

Seminars and workshops
Media exposure by way of open letters, editorial and updates via the website, in addition to television and radio interviews.
Creating the handbook, "Know your rights, Claim your rights", which promotes awareness of our constitutional rights, the means for claiming those rights and the avenues for complaining when rights are not respected, protected and promoted.

3) "Energy At Work" - Productivity via problem solving

This new division of IFAISA deals with workplace issues that revolve around accountability and productivity.

Accountably dealing with the pressures of daily life needs to be owned and managed by all parties, including the individuals in management and the workforce itself.

IFAISA provides a practical, focused and problem-solving service to ordinary South Africans in industry and business, assisting them in correcting and addressing the typical short-comings, difficulties and challenges in service delivery and other obstacles faced by so many. Problem solving around these issues automatically enhances productivity.

Visit www.energyatwork.co.za for more information.

4) Corporate Governance - Business Organisational Sustainability and Accountability Audits

Accountability has universal importance and is among the most critical elements in creating sustainable business. When businesses are not accountable to employees there is a resultant break down in trust between employer and employee, having negative social, professional and economic consequences.

Organisational sustainability and accountability relies on robust, measurable systems and audit trails in areas such as payroll, skills / skills development, job roles, legislative compliance and bargaining council requirements. IFAISA's service as an 'accountability auditor' addresses these issues.

5) Environmental and Animal Activism

IFAISA advises organisations in the green energy and environmental fields, as well as the animal welfare sector. The latter are a voice for the voiceless, standing proxy for those that cannot talk when their welfare is threatened.

IFAISA needs your support to continue its work for an open, accountable region and to ensure responsiveness to the needs of ordinary people, their rights and the values of equality, freedom and dignity for all.

Donations are welcomed via our website

We accept donations by use of: