The Leader of the Opposition (DA) to ask the President of the Republic:How does he reconcile his statement in which he expressed satisfaction that the Government was tackling corruption with the 2010 State of the Public Service Report in which it is reported that the Government is unable to account for at least two thirds of the cases reported to its National Anti-Corruption Hotline?
Reply:
Honourable Member;
There is no contradiction Honourable member because we have scored several achievements with regards to the investigation of cases of alleged corruption reported on the National Anti-Corruption Hotline.
According to reports provided to the Public Service Commission, since the establishment of the Hotline and as a result of the successful investigation of cases, two hundred and thirty five officials were found guilty of misconduct.
Of these cases, thirty five officials were suspended, one hundred and twenty were given final written warnings and eighty officials were dismissed. In addition, a total of one hundred million rand was recovered from perpetrators.
Against this backdrop, it is clear that the Hotline has had positive spin-offs, not only in terms of monetary value but also in terms of disciplinary action taken against perpetrators.
The Commission is currently following up with departments on all outstanding cases that were reported to the Hotline to ensure that departments fulfil their obligations in investigating these cases.
We appreciate the fact that an independent body such as the Public Service Commission draws our attention to such matters, so that we can improve our efforts.
Let me indicate as well that there are also a number of critical initiatives that government has embarked upon to intensify the fight against corruption.
We have established the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Anti-Corruption to ensure the alignment of corruption fighting initiatives within government.
There are also many agencies that are focusing on various aspects to attack corruption holistically.
We have the Multi-Agency Working Group established by the Minister of Finance to investigate high risk irregularities in the government procurement system.
The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is working with other Ministers in the criminal justice sector to strengthen the effectiveness of the criminal justice system.
We have also instructed the Special Investigation Unit to probe alleged maladministration and corruption in several government departments, municipalities and agencies.
These are the Department of Health in the Gauteng Province, national department of Human Settlements, Department of Arts and Culture, Department of Education in the Eastern Cape Province, national Department of Public Works, the South African Social Security Agency and the South African Police Service.
Last week we added the Ekurhuleni and Tshwane municipalities and the South African Broadcasting Corporation.
While not pre-judging the investigations, the proclamations we issued are a clear indication of the resolve of government to combat corruption, mismanagement and maladministration at all levels of Government and the public service.
Honourable Speaker, let me also take this opportunity to point out that we should avoid making blanket statements about corruption, which only serves to stereotype people.
For example an erroneous impression is created that all local government leaders and officials are corrupt. The majority of mayors, councillors and officials in local government work very diligently and in an honest manner.
Corruption should therefore not be used as an instrument of fighting certain ideological or sectarian battles. It should unite all of us to ensure clean governance in both government and the private sector.
I thank you.
Source: The Presidency
