Days are numbered for corrupt government officials and councillors who fraudulently acquire government tenders through shady deals, said high ranking political heads this week.
Days are numbered for corrupt government officials and councillors who fraudulently acquire government tenders through shady deals, said high ranking political heads this week.
The MEC for Education, Mahlubandile Qwase, Premier Noxolo Kiviet and Local Government MEC Sicelo Gqobana were the speakers at the Intergovernmental Relations Summit held at the 1820 Settlers Monument on Monday and Tuesday.
The summit was aimed at discussing challenges faced by government departments, municipalities, district municipalities and other government organisations and attracted people from as far as Gauteng.
Speaking to Grocott’s Mail after the conference, Eastern Cape Premier Noxolo Kiviet revealed that the Education department officials who were involved in School Nutrition Programme (SNP), Learner and Teacher Support Material (LTSM) and learner transport scams will be arrested and charged.
These programmes have been plagued by much corruption since their inception. Some officials suspected of corruption were suspended with full pay but the suspensions were lifted a few months later.
Kiviet said: “The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) is conducting an investigation in the department of Education. I am confident that they will make arrests very soon.” The department’s spokesperson, Loyiso Pulumani said that no stone will be left unturned during the corruption clean up.
He said: “On behalf of the department the SIU made an application to the Accountant General in order to be able to investigate any individuals whose lifestyle has raised suspicion. For instance if someone is receiving a director’s salary but has expensive vehicles and lives in a house that costs millions the SIU will conduct a lifestyle audit," he said. "We do not want to miss other people who are involved in corruption that is why the investigation will take 12 months. The investigation is not only focussed on the SNP, LTSM and learner transport, we have other trouble spots in the department like the supply chain where allegations of corruption have been made,” he added.
Furthermore, Local Government MEC Sicelo Gqobana acknowledged that the department was in possession of "a damning KPMG report on Great Kei Municipality". He indicated that the report could lead to some dismissals within the municipality.
However, when asked if Makana Municipality was also under investigation he said he was not in a position to reveal any further details.
