Corruption in the Department and its Service Providers

 http://www.pmg.org.za/node/29273

QUESTION 836 / NW908E

DATE OF PUBLICATION: Friday, 11 March 2011

INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO 6 of 2011
Mrs A T Lovemore (DA) to ask the Minister of Home Affairs:



(1)        Whether the Counter-Corruption and Security Directorate has determined the extent of corruption within her Department and its service providers; if not, why not; if so, what are the (a) details and (b) outcomes of this assessment;



(2)        whether the Directorate has established a clear plan of action to address the corruption experienced; if not, (a) why not and (b) when will such a plan be in place; if so,



(3)        whether this plan is available; if not, why not; if so, where may a copy of the plan be obtained;



(4)        whether action (a) has been and (b) will be taken to deal with the key challenges to combating corruption as identified in the Strategic Plan 2010 to 2013 (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;



(5)        whether the Counter-Corruption and Security Directorate has carried out any targeted counter-corruption activities or blitzes; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details of each activity?

NW908E



REPLY:



(1)(a)&(b)           Yes. The Baseline Study on the Causes and Scope of Corruption referred to, in my response to Question 2897 of 2010 – attached herewith as Annexure A – has been completed. It must, however, still be presented to the Executive Management of the Department, and myself for final consideration. It will be implemented, thereafter.



(2)(a)&(b)           Yes. As indicated in my response to Question 2897, in 2010 and, once the Baseline Study on the Causes and Scope of Corruption in the Department of Home Affairs has been finalised, the recommendations, and outcomes of the Baseline Study will form the ultimate Plan towards fighting corruption in the Department.



(3)                    No, as it has not, yet, been finalised. As indicated in my response to Question 2897 in 2010, once the Plan has been finalised, it will, then, be made available within the Department.



(4)(a)&(b)           Yes. In this regard, the Honourable Member is referred to my response to Question 2897 in 2010 – part (3) – which is attached herewith, as Annexure A.



(5)                    Yes. There have been targeted counter-corruption activities which have, jointly, been undertaken internally with the Inspectorate of the Immigration Services (IMS) Branch, and with the assistance of other relevant stakeholders, such as the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA), and the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC). The South African Police Service (SAPS), including the Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigations (the Hawks), were, also, involved when conducting these targeted counter corruption activities. Some of these operations have been covered, widely, in the media, and amongst the most prominent are:



·                     In August 2010, when a senior Department of Home Affairs' official, together with a Director of a private company were caught in the act of “corrupt activities” by the South African Police Services' Hawks unit, and the Department of Home Affairs’ Counter-Corruption and Security Branch.

·                     The arrest of Government officials in the Limpopo, and Mpumalanga Provinces in December 2010.



The Branch: Counter Corruption and Security is continuing with its targeted counter-corruption activities, and, at this stage, the Department cannot divulge the further relevant details of each activity.