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Updates & schedule

Update schedule

  • Monthly verification check — On the 2nd of every month every case is listed for an editor, with an automatic check of its source links. The editor re-checks each case and the "last verified" dates are updated; a short summary is posted here.
  • Community tips and right-of-reply responses — Reviewed as they arrive.
  • Monthly award — The top party by recorded matters per 10 seats is recorded on the last day of each month.

Next monthly verification check: 2 November 2026

Update log

  1. Private error monitoring and health check

    Added private error monitoring and a public health check. No personal data is collected.

  2. September 2026 award withdrawn

    The September 2026 entry in the Hall of Records was a pre-launch test generated on 15 September from data that had not yet been verified, using an earlier ranking method (raw score rather than recorded matters per 10 seats). It has been withdrawn. Monthly awards begin with November 2026 and will use verified data and the published ranking method. The matching September 2026 score snapshots used for trend charts were withdrawn for the same reason.

  3. October 2026 coverage sweep: 8 matters added

    All 18 parliamentary parties were searched using the same criteria (see /standards). After editor review against the published checklist, 8 matters were added: • ANC: Vincent Smith (convicted, Bosasa), Thabang Makwetla (charged, Bosasa), Sisisi Tolashe (accused, vehicle donations) • MK: Brian Molefe and Siyabonga Gama (charged, Transnet locomotives; counted under MK because neither represented a party at the time), Mandlenkosi Matutu (charged, Joe Gqabi tender), Mmabatho Mokoena-Zondi (charged), David Skosana (ethics finding, non-disclosure) Other candidates from the sweep are still being checked against our sourcing standard and are not shown until verified. Everyone named can give their side using the button on each case.

  4. Editorial standards published

    We published our editorial standards (version 1.0): the scope, status definitions, attribution rule, sourcing standard, language rules, right of reply, review workflow, corrections policy, use of AI and election rules that every case on this site follows. Read them at /standards.

  5. Corrections after independent fact-check

    All 9 cases were checked again by an independent reviewer against current sources. • Gigaba: updated to "charged". He was charged in November 2025 over Transnet locomotive contracts; the trial has not started. • Kodwa: changed from "charged" to "implicated". The NPA decided in January 2026 to reinstate the withdrawn charges, but they have not yet been re-enrolled in court and the decision is being challenged. • Magashule, Zuma, Mahlobo, Mantashe, Mokonyane, Shivambu, McKenzie: dates, roles and wording corrected to match sources. • Removed a background note about a party leader's historical conviction that was unrelated to the scorecard. • Award titles that could be read as implying wrongdoing were removed; award images now carry a presumption-of-innocence footer. • Zuma's arms-deal case now counts under the ANC, applying the published rule that a case counts against the party the person represented at the time of the alleged conduct (1995–2005, before the MK Party existed). Shivambu (EFF) and Magashule (ANC) already followed this rule.

  6. October 2026 verification sweep

    All 10 cases were re-checked against public sources; the 9 that remain now link directly to a source. • Each case now shows the named person's public response or denial where one exists ('Their side'). • Added notes for context: Kodwa's charges were withdrawn in 2024 and the NPA moved to reinstate them in 2026; the Zondo referrals for Mantashe, Mokonyane, Gigaba and Mahlobo have not led to charges; Zuma's arms-deal trial is set to start on 1 February 2027. • The McKenzie entry is a complaint by a rival party; the Public Protector has made no finding. • Removed: the Malema (EFF) entry. Parliament's ethics committee closed its VBS-related complaint in 2023 for lack of sufficient information, and no stronger source was found. • New: a 'Give your side' button on every case, and a '% of caucus' ranking view.

Every individual edit to case data is listed in the edit and corrections log.