Hon Deputy
Chairperson, the department has implemented a fraud and prevention strategy and continues to make great gains against fraud and corruption. The strategy is based on four pillars: we want to
prevent corruption, to detect corruption wherever it is, investigate and then resolution.
Since the 2015-16 financial year, the unit conducted 142 investigations on serious allegations of fraud and corruption in the department, of which 107 has since been completed. Sixteen cases are at various stages and 19 cases were referred to law enforcement agencies. Also, as a result of these investigations, we are busy with disciplinary procedures initiated on 215 cases against some individuals. Out of the 215, 154 have been finalised so far. A total of 22 cases consist of criminal acts related to misrepresentation, fraud and corruption and that has been referred to the SAPS for further investigation and possible prosecution.
To eliminate fraud and corruption in the department, we also have to change the behaviour of our employees. In terms of our governance framework, we continuously have performance improvement training and governance obligations with regard to what we call the compliance framework. We have also established a consequence management and contract management unit so that there can be consequences and employees must know that.
We are working with the Special Investigating Unit, SIU. We have a proclamation from the President until 2020. So, we don't need to go to the President every time to ask for a proclamation. The SIU investigations have so far led to investigation of the private sector, prestige and leases in the department.
Emanating from the investigations, we have instituted disciplinary action against departmental officials. As a result, 79 disciplinary procedures were initiated and finalised. Sanctions reigned from written warning, final written warning and dismissals. In 15 cases, people were suspended without pay and in 10 cases, there was insufficient evidence.
The SIU is also busy with 72 criminal investigations. Seventeen of these matters are currently with the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA, 29 are still under consideration by the NPA and five matters have already been referred to the SAPS while some might be before the courts now.
Also, the SIU is seeking to recover R1,3 billion in losses suffered by the department as a consequence of corruption and fraud. The Assert Forfeiture Unit, AFU, is also busy helping us to recover that money. Where we find some corruption with leases and
there is an admission of guilt by the owner or private sector, we offset it against their rental and so far we have been able to offset R129 million. Thank you.