In response to the requirements of the whistle-blowing Policy, the Department of Labour (DoL) has launched a dedicated fraud hotline to fight fraud and corruption.
The launch today was in line with the DoL’s Director-General Nkosinathi Nhleko objective to help intensify the focus on efforts designed to reposition the department’s institution for a better response to service delivery, as well as ensuring accessibility of our service delivery points, such as our labour centres and our virtual services.
DoL Fraud and Corruption Unit Assistant Director Freddy Buys said the launch of the fraud hotline was part of a legislative pre-requisite in fraud prevention plan. Buys said until now, the department had been using the fraud line of one of its public entities, UIF to deal with fraud and corruption. Buys said the launch today of this initiative was in line with one of the key objectives of the Public Finance and Management Act - that of eliminating waste and corruption in the use of public assets.
He said members of staff and employment would enjoy anonymity when reporting instances of fraud and corruption, this was in line with the Protected Disclosure Act.
The Protected Disclosures Act provides protection for employees in both private and public sector when disclosing information regarding unlawful or irregular conduct by their employers or other employees without the fear of suffering an occupational loss/harm.
The DoL encourages members of the public employees and suppliers of goods and/or services who suspect fraud and corruption to inform the department.
Buys said the department on average promises a turnover time of 30 days to resolve matters reported. He said testing the credibility of information would be key in ensuring the success of the anti-fraud and corruption campaign. He said every matter would be treated on its merit.
According to Buys the new fraud line had been designed in such a way as to provide feedback to the whistle-blower. Staffers manning the fraud line would be working closer with the Risk Management Unit of the department to help test the veracity of information received.
“The will be no holy cows in the fight against fraud and corruption,” he said that the department was also in the process of linking with other public institutions in the sharing of information to deal with fraud and corruption.
We encourage officials to report any suspicion to the new DoL Fraud Hotline 08600 22 194, e-mail: Fraud@labour.gov.za or fax 012 309 4676.
Enquries:
Page Boikanyo
Cell: 082 809 3195
Department of Labour launches fraud hotline – 08600 22 194 to fight scourge of fraud and corruption
