After launching a special forum to fight corruption in the infrastructure and construction industry two years ago, government yesterday renewed its pledge to fight this crime.

This comes after thousands of cases have already been successfully reviewed, some of them referred to the NPA and Sars.

Patricia de Lille, Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, and Advocate Andy Mothibi, head of the Special Investigative Unit (SIU), signed an anti-corruption pledge on Thursday alongside members of the Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF).

Minister Patricia De Lille and Head of the Special Investigating Unit sign Anti-Corruption Pledge with Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum Members #FightingCorruption pic.twitter.com/ZKYy6WrByH

— South African Government (@GovernmentZA) June 30, 2022

The IBACF was first launched in May 2021 to bring key role players together to monitor infrastructure projects closely. This includes law enforcement, construction sector regulators, civil society, government departments and the private sector.

“Corruption is another pandemic in our country and every effort must be made to fight it with all stakeholders. Corruption steals from the poor and stifles service delivery and progress,” De Lille said.

#FightingCorruption pic.twitter.com/fzLHca1UFz

— Justice, Crime Prevention & Security Cluster (@CrimeSecurity) June 30, 2022

“Prevention and combatting of corruption requires education, behavioural change and a multi-pronged approach from all levels of society. Corruption hinders social and economic development and increases poverty by diverting domestic and foreign investment away from where it is most needed. We must also do a lot more to put systems in place to prevent and detect corruption before it occurs,” she added.

Mothibi has welcomed the multi sector approach towards the fight against corruption.

“The IBACF will galvanise all stakeholders into action and ensure that infrastructure built projects are monitored more effectively and put measures and systems in place to fight against fraud and corruption, identify areas of co-operation to enhance prevention, detection, civil litigation and prosecution of fraud and corruption in the Infrastructure Build Sector,” Mothibi said.

#FightingCorruption pic.twitter.com/2265YZcQhc

— Justice, Crime Prevention & Security Cluster (@CrimeSecurity) June 30, 2022

Apart from the IBACF, the SIU has been helping the department with a number of cases which include supply chain management irregularities with regard to property leased in from the private sector and renovations to certain facilities.

The SIU recommended to the department to institute disciplinary action against departmental officials where there is prima facie evidence justifying such action.

“Where there is prima facie evidence of criminal transgressions by officials and/or other persons, for example contractors or service providers, the SIU refers the criminal case to the NPA for further criminal investigation,” read a statement by the department and the SIU.

• Out of 6 978 cases investigated by the SIU in this regard, 6 623 have been finalised and 355 are still pending.
• Out of 91 disciplinary referrals to the department, 86 cases have been finalised and five are pending.
• Out of 292 criminal referrals to the law enforcement agencies, 18 cases have been finalised, 240 matters are before the NPA for decision, 23 cases were referred to Sars for further investigation, six matters are still with SAPS for investigation and five matters are before the court of law.

“The SIU is further recovering R1.3bn through the civil courts and its tribunal.  The cases are ongoing.”