State Capture and Beyond Campaign

In 2024, Human Rights Media Trust (HRMT) in partnership with the German aid agency, Brot für die Welt (BfdW), launched a nationwide accountability campaign: State Capture and Beyond. The objective of this initiative, co-funded by the European Union, is to address the culture of corruption that plagues South Africa’s democracy and to foster greater and more informed public participation in holding state power accountable. HRMT’s primary role in the campaign is production of media to enhance the campaign goals, and the building of a national anti-corruption coalition, centring the struggles of communities on the ground.

A Home in the City - Usindiso

The story of the Usindiso building fire of 2023. The COI into the fire found the city responsible for the scale of deaths. The film also raises questions around the misuse of money allocated by the government for the rehousing of victims of the fire. The overarching question the film raises is around negligence and mismanagement of housing regulations and policy and the reneging of the social right to housing.

Battle From Below - Makhanda

In 2021 a civic organisation called the Makhanda Citizen’s Front contested local elections in the Eastern Cape town of Makhanda and became the official opposition to the ANC. This came after years of municipal mismanagement, corruption and high levels of frustration. On realizing that protests were not working, the citizens formed a diverse civic organisation. This film highlights how ordinary people from diverse backgrounds can organise outside of political party lines to replace poor leaders.

Lethal Water - Hammanskraal

Over 30 people died during a recent cholera outbreak in the region of Hammanskraal. A politically connected but shady businessman, Edwin Sodi, was given the contract to clean up the water treatment works implicated in contaminated water sources. The work was not completed. Residents of the town of Hammanskraal have been complaining about sewage in their water for years and years. The film raises the fact that the scourge of unsafe drinking water due to mismanagement by the municipality and lack of oversight from the Department of Water and Sanitation, is a national crisis and asks: who should be held to account?

Whistle-Blower Explainer

Developed with Corruption Watch, this short ‘explainer’ video is aimed at highlighting core changes in the legislation that would make whistle-blowers safer. We ask the question, ‘why are politicians resisting these changes?’

What is Corruption? Explainer

Developed with Corruption Watch, this short ‘explainer’ looks at the impact of state capture on ordinary people’s and the ongoing efforts to implement anti corruption recommendations of the Commission of inquiry into State Capture.

podcasts

Capture This! is a podcast series that shines a light on failing councils, collapsing cities and the communities at the helm of the resistance.

SHALLOW JUSTICE

This first episode, draws on a recently published water report by researcher Jonathan van der Walt which deals with the spectacular failure to provide the essential life force we all need to survive – water. Hosted by filmmaker, Tsogo Kupa and human rights advocate, Eldonna Muhwava, we explore the causes of the water crisis, the legal context, and the reasons behind the governments inability to address the issue effectively. Featuring insights from water justice advocates and perspectives from communities directly affected, we aim to present a clear picture of the crisis and its impact on peoples lives.