Corruption seems to be rife across our country. To address the scourge, the Department of Government Communication and Information System partnered with the Rand West City Local Municipality and held an anti-corruption dialogue at Council Chambers on Thursday, 28 March.
The target group to educate about corruption and how to report it comprised internal officials in the municipality in various departments such as Supply Chain Management, Internal Audit, Human Resources and all those involved in the tender processes.
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Brigadier Zama Basi of the Hawks spoke to officials about the types of cases they investigate and how those found guilty are dealt with.
“It is imperative that existing security systems in the municipality are functioning at all times. When people don’t follow legal processes, they contravene a particular law and they are then investigated,” Basi said.
Basi went on to explain that one of the Directorate’s key objectives is to establish and maintain partnerships with relevant stakeholders such as municipalities to assist them to promote awareness and expand the detection of serious crimes.
Edwin Mashiotoa of the State Security Agency said they work closely with the municipalities to make sure officials in positions where they might be targeted by those ready to commit fraud and corruption are educated on how and where to report it.
“Risk management in municipalities is at the centre of an anti-corruption strategy. A Security Risk Committee, if put in place, will be able to correct certain issues relating to fraud and corruption within the municipality. This means it will be easier to identify and report those who are on a mission to commit crime,” Mashiotoa added.
