SOUTH AFRICA: Public Works has zero tolerance on fraud, corruption

Boksburg – The Department of Public Works has taken a zero tolerance approach on fraud and corruption.

Addressing the two day Zero Tolerance Stance on Fraud and Corruption Conference, Tuesday, Public Works Minister Thoko Didiza said the department has placed a number of initiatives to deal with fraud and corruption in the department.

“Zero tolerance means just that, it means all of us in Public Works, political leaders, management, our cadre of professionals and the staff take ownership of this struggle in a concerted programme of action to defeat corruption,” Minister Didiza said.

These initiatives, she said, have already resulted in the dismissal and arrest of corrupt officials in the department.

The minister said an official was recently dismissed after he was found to be collaborating with an individual from outside to defraud the department of R4.2 million.

“We have acted accordingly and will continue to do so, recognising that the abuse of public trust and public finances is in fact nothing less than a crime against our people who have placed us in positions of trusts and who have worked hard to raise the funds intended for the development of our country,” she said.

Minister Didiza strongly emphasised that zero tolerance means that they will not allow funds to be misappropriated by individuals for personal benefit.

“We will not allow the trust in our government to be abused,” she said.

The department is one of government’s departments which on a daily basis enter into transactions of millions of Rands with mainly the property and construction industries.

As part of dealing with fraud and corruption, the minister said the department will strictly monitor the register of constructors.

She said the department was in the process of developing a register for better management purposes.

Department’s Chief Audit Executive Zanele Mxunyelwa echoed the minister’s sentiments and said the department would not tolerate any form of corruption.

She said they would be vigilant to any presentations presented to the department.

“We will thoroughly scrutinise documents for good cooperate governance and ensure money spent wisely,” she said.

The department amongst others aims to promote government’s objectives of economic development, good governance and rising living standards.

It also emphasises prosperity by providing and managing the accommodation, infrastructure needs of national departments, by leading the national Expanded Public Works Programme and transforming the construction and property industries.

The department, she said therefore rejects any form of corruption and or maladministration and all employees vow to expose any actions undermining principles of good corporate governance.

The conference is among others attended by government officials from other departments, construction representatives and international delegates. - BuaNews