The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, has welcomed the R67 million recovery order obtained by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) against a plumbing contractor associated with the department.
Last week, the corruption busting unit said it had obtained an order from the Special Tribunal, which set aside contracts awarded to Kroucamp Plumbers by the department for vacuum pumping of septic tanks and emergency sewage blockage interventions.
The tribunal also dismissed a R33 million counterclaim made by the contractor against the department.
“This recovery order is another important step in our efforts to root out corruption and recover stolen public funds, as we work to build an efficient department capable of delivering construction projects on time and within budget.
“Those who defraud the state and think they can get away with it must think again. We will leave no stone unturned in holding contractors and officials accountable for wrongdoing, no matter how long ago it occurred,” Macpherson said.
He added that the department has worked closely with the SIU to “support and expedite investigations into corruption, mismanagement, and fraud” within the Department.
Furthermore, the SIU is also assisting the department to finalise lifestyle audits for at least 400 high risk officials.
“The case against Kroucamp Plumbers is a prime example of the importance of our collaboration, as we seek to ensure that public funds are no longer abused.
“Together with law enforcement agencies, we will continue to send a clear message that corruption will not be tolerated.
“We are working hard to turn the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure into the economic delivery unit of South Africa, ensuring that infrastructure projects are completed on time and within budget, and that not a cent of public funds is wasted. We are building a better department in order to build a better South Africa,” Macpherson said. – SAnews.gov.za
