Cape Town – Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi says the department’s anti-corruption unit has led to several officials being dismissed and other people being referred to law enforcement agencies for further criminal investigation.
The Minister said this when he tabled the department’s Budget Vote speech in the National Assembly on Wednesday night.
The officials were investigated by the Governance, Risk and Compliance (GRC) Branch, a unit that was set up to combat fraud and corruption four years ago as part of the department’s seven-year turnaround strategy.
“The Anti-Corruption Unit within the GRC Branch has investigated a total of 340 allegations reported in the period of 2009/10 to date. Fifty-one were reported in the current year,” said Minister Nxesi.
Of the total cases, 235 have been completed, 57 referred to the SA Police Service, Special Investigation Unit or other entities for further investigation, and 52 are in progress.
“These investigations resulted in 176 disciplinary recommendations, of which 49 were processed in the past year,” he said.
The Minister said during the year under review, the department initiated seven disciplinary actions, specifically for the charges of serious fraud and corruption. Four of these have since been finalised and led to three officials being dismissed and one resigning.
Minister Nxesi also said completed investigations have resulted in six civil proceedings for the recovery of approximately R322 million.
“Investigations are also underway into conflicts of interest in 122 matters where departmental officials are suspected of having had interests in companies doing business with the department, and possibly of having participated in related procurement processes.”
Probe into contractors, leases
The Minister said a departmental review of work by built environment professionals -- contracted on the renovation of 16 Ministerial houses in the Western Cape -- led to the department’s decision to recommend that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recover monies in eight of these cases.
The review also informed the department’s decision to refer the evidence of overpayment and unprofessional conduct to the built environment professional councils for further action.
“Potential recoveries, at this stage, are amounting to several millions of rands...” said Minister Nxesi.
The Minister also said on the proclamations front, SIU investigations into irregularities in the procurement of leases are also underway.
He said these investigations have so far resulted in two criminal cases being referred to the National Prosecuting Authority.
“Two acknowledgements of debt have been signed to the value of R200 000 and the department has recovered over R2 million from overpayments for space and VAT. Six matters have also been referred to the department to institute disciplinary proceedings.
“Further recoveries and disciplinary action is expected to emerge from the investigation,” said Minister Nxesi.
The Minister said, meanwhile, that as part of Operation Bring-Back, which was launched in 2015 to identify, probe and recover unlawfully occupied State property, the department was in the process of reclaiming 1 300 properties.
He said 9 719 properties were currently under different stages of investigation. Approximately 300 state employees have been red-flagged for possible investigation.
Department has implemented Nkandla remedial actions
The Minister said the department had implemented Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s remedial actions on non-security upgrades at President Jacob Zuma’s Nkandla residence.
“I need to add that efforts to reform procurement processes were further spurred on by the department’s commitment in 2014 to implement the remedial findings of the Public Protector’s report into the security upgrades at the President’s residence in Nkandla.
“The department has implemented all the remedial actions of the Public Protector, as well as the recommendations of the SIU and the Ministerial Task Team.” – SAnews.gov.za
