JOHANNESBURG – In the wake of revelations that thousands of public servants have illegally been receiving social grants, the government has launched the Public Administration Ethics, Integrity and Disciplinary Technical Assistance Unit.
The unit will build capacity within public bodies to institute disciplinary proceedings in cases of misconduct and cooperate with other organs of state in holding those responsible to account, President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his weekly newsletter yesterday.
“The unit will refer corruption cases to government’s Anti-Corruption Task Team and follow up with departments to ensure criminal cases involving public servants translate into disciplinary cases. Working with the multi-agency Fusion Centre, the unit will help identify employees in priority cases investigated by law enforcement authorities,” he added.
The unit will monitor the lifestyle audits of public service employees. Where departments identify corruption and unexplained wealth, the cases will be referred to the South African Police Service, Ramaphosa said.
The new unit has already begun its work, helping to identify public servants involved in cases related to Covid-19 procurement, the special Covid-19 grant and Unemployment Insurance Fund fraud.
Earlier this year, it was found that about 16, 000 employees on the government payroll were irregularly paid the Covid-19 Social Relief of Distress grant.
“Some 17, 000 people employed at national and provincial government submitted applications in a bid to top-up their salaries with money meant for the poor. Given the extent of need in the country, one that our public servants know too well, this willful intent to steal from the public purse is unforgivable,” Ramaphosa said.
The president added that the government was stepping up its efforts to prevent this kind of abuse and act against anyone in the public service involved in wrongdoing.
Ramaphosa said another important aspect of the unit’s work will be institutionalising ethics and integrity in the public service.
“The new unit will set norms and standards on ethics, integrity and conduct. It will also build the capacity of departments to discipline officials found guilty of misconduct.
“Last year, more than 200 employees were trained as presiding officers and initiators. Building an ethical, capable state continues to be a focus of this administration,” said Ramaphosa. – NEWS24.
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