The Department of Water Affairs has laid criminal charges against a consultant who attempted to steal R12,80 million from the department’s account last year. The initial attempts commit the theft were however rejected by the departments internal electronic systems.
An investigation revealed that the consultant had tried to transfer large sums of money into his personal bank account on different occasions but only managed get R2.84 million before his activities were detected.
The consultant from the IT Company Arivia now known as T-systems was appointed to perform functions on the payment systems but managed to gain additional access which enabled him transfer funds to his personal bank account.
Fortunately, his activities were uncovered by the department’s finance unit which instituted an investigation through its internal auditors, who confirmed the crime. DWA later laid criminal charges with the police against Mr Senokoana who was arrested and is now out on bail.
Mr Senokoana appeared in court on 9 June 2011, the case was postponed to July for further investigations. In addition the department has also instituted a civil claim against the company that employed the culprit in an attempt to recover the full amount that he transferred.
Minister, Edna Molewa added, “I want to issue a stern warning to all those involved in corrupt activities in the department, I will not tolerate it. You will face the full might of the law”.
