Investigations Unit
14 September 2006
Following the transfer of the function of forensic investigations from
Provincial Treasury to the Office of the Premier, a lot of work has been done
to ensure that the unit has the necessary capacity and regulatory framework to
discharge its responsibilities. We have moved swiftly to set up systems to help
enhance the effectiveness of our efforts to safeguard state resources.
And in a further demonstration of our resolve to win the battle against
fraud and corruption, we have realigned and re-oriented the Forensic Unit so
that it can serve the entire province better and more effectively.
The work of the Forensic Unit will be under the guidance of the Provincial
Forensic Committee, whose key mandate is to streamline forensic investigations
in the province. We are confident that the establishment of the Provincial
Forensic Committee will help to avoid ad hoc, unco-ordinated and sometimes
costly appointments of forensic investigators.
The Provincial Forensic Committee will be constituted by the following:
Director-General (who will also be Chair), Provincial Treasury, Forensic Unit
(Office of the Premier), Anti-Corruption and Security Directorate (Office of
the Premier), Legal Services Chief Directorate (Office of the Premier),
Provincial Auditor-General, Commercial Branch of the South African Police
Service (SAPS).
Among other things, the functions of the Steering Committee will be as
follows:
* Determine cases worth referring for forensic investigation and initiate
forensic investigations where necessary.
* Receive progress report on forensic investigations.
* Provide guidance on the manner in which forensic investigations should be
conducted.
* Provide capacity-building throughout the province in relation to forensic
investigations.
* Manage the implementation of recommendations resulting from forensic
investigations.
* Approve forensic investigations projects.
We have included the Auditor-General in the Steering Committee mindful and
sensitive of the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General as reflected
in our Constitution as well as the Public Audit Act which charges the
Auditor-General to conduct special investigations.
As part of the reorientation and strengthening our capacity, we will be
collaborating with the Special Investigating Unit, a state organ established
through an Act of Parliament to investigate serious malpractices relating to
state assets and public money. The role of the Special Investigating Unit is to
work with government to root out corruption and initiate investigations where
necessary.
We remain confident that this collaborative effort will yield positive
results in our collective endeavour to safeguard government assets and
resources.
Our approach to corruption must be guided by the principle of zero
tolerance. This practically means that, in our vocabulary, there shall be no
such thing as "small fraud", because what may appear as small fraud could be
"big fraud detected early". The challenge for all of us is to ensure that no
case of corruption will be tolerated. Together we must make a solemn commitment
that no one will plunder state resources with impunity. We must remain ruthless
and firm in our handling of corruption.
Acts of corruption, allegations of corruption, and perceptions of
corruption, all affect the reputation of government. Similarly, we will be
assisted by the Provincial Forensic Committee to ensure that there is no undue
wild goose chase and witch-hunting. I call upon all patriots and citizens of
goodwill to join me in the ongoing effort to ensure clean, accountable and
transparent administration. The public must also help to expose those in our
midst who want to use their positions in government and the public service to
enrich themselves at the expense of the taxpayer. The aspirations of our people
cannot afford to be held hostage by greed and selfishness.
We will continue to ensure that we provide the Forensic Unit as well as
other initiatives with the necessary capacity to enable them to discharge their
responsibilities.
Enquiries:
Cornelius Tanana Monama
Tell: (018) 387 3456
Cell: 082 578 4063
Issued by: Office of the Premier, North West Provincial Government
14 September 2006
