SIU suspended Project Manager in the Eastern Cape
The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) on Tuesday the 28th August 2018 suspended Mr Hein Hechter; Project Manager based in Mthatha office in the Eastern Cape Province. In 2016 Mr Hechter was allegedly found in possession of crayfish and copper steenbras at Mdumbi on the Wild Coast.
Mr Hechter paid an admission of guilt fine for his transgression of the law. By paying an admission of guilt fine in terms of the Criminal Procedure Act whether at the police station or any local authority, Mr Hechter is thus deemed to have been convicted and sentenced by the court of law in relation to his violation of the law.
Advocate Andy Mothibi, the SIU Head became sighted of Mr Hechter’s misconduct last week and directed that action should be taken immediately against Mr Hechter. Advocate Mothibi urges members of the community to assist institutions we have created such as the SIU by blowing the whistle where they see or detect any corruptive and criminal activities committed by officials who are meant to be the protectors of society and its resources in particular in this instance our marine ones.
It is difficult at times to detect in time misconduct and criminal acts conducted by our officials committed outside working environment hours hence the call to the community to assist so that we can deal promptly with such cases. We are inextricably bounded to one another as a society and whistle blowing against corruption should be on our lips at all the time.
Advocate Mothibi said officials working for the SIU without exception must be women and men whose integrity remains beyond reproach. We cannot investigate maladministration and corruption committed by non-SIU officials in government, state owned enterprises and other institutions with some of our officials themselves failing the supreme test of integrity and transgress the law.
Advocate Mothibi said majority of women and men officials at the SIU do their work diligently and adhere to the principles of integrity to the letter. Advocate Mothibi said that the SIU views the offence of illegal fishing seriously, depletion of fish stocks through illegal activities threaten not only food security but also the extinction of some fish species which are already in decline.
Enquiries:
Adv Mahlodi Muofhe
Cell: 082 972 0141
