The Gauteng Provincial Government’s vision is to transform, modernise and reindustrialise our province and to build a seamlessly integrated, socially cohesive, and economically inclusive City-Region. Led by Premier David Makhura, the provincial government has adopted a ten pillar programme of radical transformation, modernisation and re-industrialisation to be rolled out over the next five to fifteen years. Part of the radical shift in government involves eradicating fraud and corruption in government and in society at large.
This vision can only be realised if we have an accountable, responsive, transparent and clean government that is committed to active citizenry and fighting fraud and corruption its all its forms and manifestations – be it in the departmental procurement and tender processes; an application for a driver’s license or taxi operating license; in the payment of services rendered by government; or in bribing a traffic cop to avoid a traffic fine.
The Department of Roads and Transport’s anti-fraud and corruption campaign seeks to forge partnerships between government, business, civil society groups and the community at large in a bid to create an administration that is conducive to good and clean governance.
The theme of the campaign is: “Together, Striving for a Fraud and Corruption Free Department of Roads and Transport”.
Its aim is to advance and contribute towards an integrated provincial anti-corruption framework in Gauteng. The campaign is also aimed at inculcating a strong culture of ethical behaviour and good governance within the department, its employees and its supporting entities such as g-Fleet and the Gautrain Management Agency.
We must adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards fraud and corruption
The department, together with all senior managers, strategic partners and the provincial government, is committed to clean and transparent government that will serve the citizens of Gauteng with diligence and efficiency. It will fight the scourge of fraud and corruption at all levels of its administration as fraud and corruption weakens our democracy; diminishes public faith in government and its institutions; and robs citizens of their rights.
Currently, the department together with Treasury is piloting the “open tender” system for the Cedar Road contract. The tender processes in this pilot project are open to the public; they are reviewed by an auditing firm; and the final award will be made in public.
After assessing the procedures relating to this pilot project, the department in all likelihood, will utilise the “open tender” system for all its contracts valued over R50 million.
Our Provincial Treasury is also researching other measures to enhance transparency of the existing tender processes, including ensuring proper cost and time estimates prior to advertising and safeguarding against changing the criteria during the evaluation of a tender itself. Furthermore, our Treasury will be observing in-house departmental tender processes to ensure greater compliance with supply chain management procedures, and would appoint an independent probity team to audit all tenders.
Fighting corruption is everybody’s business
Premier Makhura has warned public servants who don’t want to declare their interests and called upon those who want to be business people to get out of the public service.
The responsibility is on all of us to fight corruption. The department has signed an MOU with South African Insurance Crime Bureau (SAICB) aimed at reducing and combating fraud and corruption at the Driver Learner Testing Centres (DLTCs), privately-owned Vehicle Testing Services (VTSs) and Registration Authorities (RAs). We intend into a an agreement with Corruption Watch to assist us in tackling fraudulent and corrupt activities, particularly at the driver license testing centres.
The department has also established as anti-fraud and corruption unit in the office of the HOD, which will be capacitated to deal with all cases reported to it.
Any allegation of fraud or corrupt activity should be reported to relevant authorities on the following number 0800701 701.
The PSC has noted that disciplinary sanctions against public officials found guilty of fraud and corruption tend to be lenient. This issue must be addressed by Presiding Officers when meeting out penalties against public servants for wrongful conduct.
Apart from the internal disciplinary procedure which departments have to follow in cases of fraud and corruption, departments are required to report offences relating to fraud and corruption involving an amount of R100 000 or more, to the South African Police Service in terms of section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, 2004.
Corruption is a punishable crime
The department views fraud and corruption in a serious light. Once found guilty, perpetrators will be prosecuted. It must be understood that failure to report corruption is also a crime.
Transforming public service to achieve clean corporate governance
Together with our partners in local government and in civil society we will work tirelessly to ensure that we help to build an effective and accountable department. No stones will be left unturned in rooting out corruption, maladministration and fraud in our department.
We must be guided by the maxim that the pursuit of public good needs to be our driving force in waging a war against fraud and corruption.
Therefore, today we are signing an integrity pledge. The preamble reads as follows: “As a committed resident of the Gauteng City Region, I will strive to serve my province and its people with respect, dignity and integrity, and consistent with the values and principles of the Constitution”. We are also launching the “Corruption Free Zone”departmental booklet that will be shared with all stakeholders and partners.
Together, let us move Gauteng City-Region Forward!
Together, let us striving for a fraud and corruption free Department of Roads and Transport”!
