By Neelam Rahim
01:06:2022

Yesterday, Gauteng premier David Makhura released the Province’s State of Integrity and Anti-Corruption Report, which aims to communicate measures taken by the Gauteng Provincial Government to institutionalise integrity within the system of government in mitigating and fighting corruption. The Gauteng Ethics and Anti-Corruption Advisory Council also released its bi-annual report on the state of ethics, integrity and clean governance in Gauteng.

The Premiers’ spokesperson, Vuyo Mhaga, spoke to Radio Islam International today.

He said the presence of the seven MECs, the head of the SIU, Adv Andy Mothibi, as well as representatives from the State Security Agency, Office of the Auditor-General, the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and the Public Protector reflected the seriousness of the work being done and displayed the cooperation and partnerships developed between law enforcement agencies in the country.

The Gauteng Ethics Advisory Council (GEAC) is a civil society body appointed by the Premier in 2017 to “provide independent oversight, advice, advocacy, and civil society mobilisation to fight corruption and promote integrity in the Gauteng city region.” It is chaired by the former Auditor-General, Dr Terence Nombembe. Others on the Council include former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and the former head of Corruption Watch.

The Council assisted the MEC’s team in finding and filling the gaps with the recommendations made. This allowed for the signing of an MoU with the SIU, which will ensure cases are referred to the SIU for deeper investigation.

This collaboration then led to the creation of the Forensic and Ethics Unit, based in the office of the Premier. The unit, according to Mhaga, is doing “great work”, which includes the financial disclosure of Senior Management; HODs will have to be vetted by the team and have the authority to remove officials.

Mhaga added that with corruption in South Africa being a scourge, the process would help in ensuring that upstanding citizens filled the positions of power within state structures.

The Premier reported that 517 disciplinary processes against Gauteng officials relating to allegations had been completed, and 147 criminal cases opened. Mhaga said that this was due to work carried out by the team, and he explained that some had been through disciplinary processes, and further investigations have allowed the team to go after the pensions of some members.

Makhura said that the State Security Agency had completed lifestyle audits on all MECs, and results would be provided soon. Mhaga added that all officials would be put through the same process in future to ensure that greater scrutiny is achieved for those looking at higher positions.

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