Public Works Dept on track to root out maladministration
But Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has told parliament’s portfolio committee on Friday it’s not good enough to only unearth graft but also to ensure there are consequences.
FILE: Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson. Picture: GCIS
CAPE TOWN - The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure says it's making substantial progress in rooting out maladministration within its ranks.
As the country’s biggest landlord, this includes investigating dodgy office leases and maintenance tenders and the illegal use of state property.
But Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson has told parliament’s portfolio committee on Friday it’s not good enough to only unearth graft but also to ensure there are consequences.
Macpherson said there are a number of weaknesses within the department’s supply chain system that make the department vulnerable to corruption.
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These include information technology shortcomings, the hacking of its payment system and officials colluding with service providers.
Macpherson said fixing the problems would take time.
"I'm tired of just responding to issues. I want to fix them, once and for all," he said.
Since 2009 the department has recommended 81 people face criminal action, but to date, only 15 cases have been finalised.
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Just more than half of the 37 civil recovery cases have been resolved.
"It's not just good enough to stop these actions but we must recover what has been stolen from the state, and we must see people in prison overalls at the end of the day," Macpherson said.
Deputy Director-General Lwazi Mahlangu said payments made from the department are now being monitored daily to pick up any suspicious transactions.