Pretoria - Gauteng Roads and Transport MEC Ismail Vadi says the province will only realise its vision of transforming the economy if it remains steadfast in fighting fraud and corruption.
The MEC today launched the Anti-Fraud and Corruption Campaign of his department in Diepkloof, Soweto.
“The provincial government’s vision is to transform, modernise and reindustrialise the province and to build a seamlessly integrated, socially cohesive and economically inclusive city region.
“This vision can only be realised if we have an accountable, responsive, transparent and clean government that is committed to active citizenry and fighting fraud and corruption,” he said.
The MEC said fraud and corruption will be fought in the departmental procurement and tender processes, applications for driver’s licences and taxi operating licences and in the payment of services rendered by government. He said they will pay special attention to the payment of bribes by the public to avoid traffic fines.
“No stone will be left unturned in rooting out corruption, maladministration and fraud in our department,” he said.
The provincial government has adopted a 10-pillar programme of radical transformation, modernisation and reindustrialisation to be rolled out over the next five to 15 years. Part of the shift in government involves eradicating fraud and corruption in government and in society at large.
The department’s anti-fraud and corruption campaign seeks to forge partnerships between government, business, civil society groups and the community at large to build an administration that is conducive to good and clean governance.
The theme of the campaign is Together, Striving for a Fraud and Corruption Free Department of Roads and Transport.
Its aim is to advance and contribute towards an integrated provincial anti-corruption framework in Gauteng.
The campaign is also aimed at inculcating a strong culture of ethical behaviour and good governance within the department, its employees and its supporting entities such as g-Fleet and the Gautrain Management Agency.
Zero tolerance towards fraud and corruption
MEC Vadi said the provincial government is committed to clean and transparent governance that will serve the citizens of Gauteng with diligence and efficiency.
“It will fight the scourge of fraud and corruption at all levels of its administration as fraud and corruption weakens our democracy, diminishes public faith in government and its institutions and robs citizens of their rights,” he said.
The department, together with Treasury, is currently piloting the “open tender” system for the Cedar Road contract.
The tender processes in this pilot project are open to the public. They are reviewed by an auditing firm and the final award will be made in public.
After assessing the procedures relating to this pilot project, the department in all likelihood will utilise the “open tender” system for all its contracts valued over R50 million, the MEC said.
“Our Treasury will be observing in-house departmental tender processes to ensure greater compliance with supply chain management procedures and will appoint an independent probity team to audit all tenders.”
The department has signed Memorandum of Understanding with the South African Insurance Crime Bureau aimed at dealing with fraud and corruption at driver learner testing centres, privately-owned vehicle testing services and registration authorities.
The MEC said they intend to sign an agreement with Corruption Watch to assist them to tackle fraudulent and corrupt activities, particularly at driver licence testing centres.
The department has also established an anti-fraud and corruption unit in the office of the HOD, which will deal with all cases reported to it.
Any allegation of fraud or corrupt activity should be reported to the authorities on 0800 701 701. - SAnews.gov.za
