Public Protector Advocate Thuli Madonsela will look into allegations of corruption leveled against the Eastern Cape Housing Department, two municipalities and a public hospital.
At a community outreach meeting in Bhisho on Friday, a member of the Provincial Legislature, John Korkie, complained that action was not forthcoming after R28 million was "stolen" from municipal coffers.
Korkie also alleged that another R1.4 million from Kou-Kamma Municipality was "stolen and recovered" but action against the culprit was still outstanding.
He further accused some nurses at Santa Hospital, a public facility in Port Alfred, of cashing-in on terminally ill patients by purchasing life insurance for them with the sole aim of claiming benefits once the patients have succumbed to their illnesses.
"How can we be sure that there will be good health care when the nurses stand to benefit from the patients' deaths," Korkie asked.
Regarding the housing department, a community member alleged that a company that had failed to deliver on a social housing project continued to secure similar projects elsewhere in the province.
The company had been awarded a R13 million tender to build 550 "RDP" houses but delivered only 120 houses, some of which were falling apart, and was paid R9 million before its contract was terminated, the community member alleged.
He added that more money had to be spent in new contracts to have the houses reconstructed.
Responding to the complaints, the Public Protector, who got to inspect the defective houses in Sweetwaters, emphasised that issues raised remained allegations which still needed to be tested.
"We cannot prejudge the cases. We will investigate each matter, working closely with the complainants," she explained.
Other matters included complaints that the land restitution process was not fair as it was not communicated well to enlighten communities about issues such as the cut-off date for claims.
The community also complained about leaner transport, school nutrition programme and the lack of a secondary school in the area.
They further raised concerns about crime, poor conditions of roads, basic municipal services and delays in the payout of pension benefits for former South African National Defence Force members.
The consultative process was aimed at soliciting feedback on the work of the Public Protector and fostering a common understanding of the institution's mandate and role.
It also focused on the importance of implementing the Public Protector's remedial action.
This was for purposes of ensuring administrative justice by organs of state in respect of service failure and ensuring accountability in the exercise of state power and control over public resources.
For more information contact:
Kgalalelo Masibi
Tel: 012 366 7006
Cell: 079 507 0399
E-mail: kgalalelom@pprotect.org
