Public service graft massive, parliament hears

In what it has defined as priority crimes, government’s multidisciplinary Anti-Corruption Task Team (ACTT) yesterday said it was investigating 223 cases, with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) saying 69 matters were pending, nine awaiting National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) decisions, 42 on the court rolls, 15 prosecutions declined, 26 withdrawn and 62 finalised.

With 32 cases involving government, 28 matters municipalities, the department of public works facing 21, health 14, education 12, rural development and land affairs nine, transport eight, human settlements six, SA Revenue Service six, SA Police Service six and SA Social Security Agency five – the ACTT gave parliament a glimpse of the depth of widespread corruption in the public service.

Addressing the standing committee on public accounts, the ACTT conceded that despite progress made in investigations, the body faced challenges. Of the 223 cases under investigation, 87 matters were finalised, with trials leading to 155 persons and companies being convicted.

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