Since the establishment of the National AntiCorruption Hotline and as a result of the successful investigation of cases, 235 officials have been found guilty of misconduct, President Jacob Zuma said on Thursday.

Replying to questions in the National Assembly, he said of these cases, 35 officials were suspended, 120 were given final written warnings, and 80 were dismissed.

In addition, a total of R100-million was recovered from perpetrators.

"Against this backdrop, it is clear that the hotline has had positive spin-offs, not only in terms of monetary value, bu also in terms of disciplinary action taken against perpetrators," he said.

The Public Service Commission was currently following up with departments on all outstanding cases reported to the hotline to ensure they fulfilled their obligations in investigating these cases.

"We appreciate the fact that an independent body such as the Public Service Commission draws our attention to such matters, so that we can improve our efforts."

Zuma said that there were a number of other critical initiatives the government had embarked upon to intensify the fight against corruption.

Among others, the inter-ministerial committee on anti-corruption was established to ensure the alignment of graft-fighting initiatives within government.

The multi-agency working group was established by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan to investigate high-risk irregularities in the government procurement system.

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister Jeff Radebe was working with other ministers in the criminal justice sector to strengthen the effectiveness of the justice system.

The Special Investigation Unit had also been instructed to probe alleged maladministration and corruption in several government departments, municipalities and agencies.

These were the Gauteng health department, the national departments of human settlements, arts and culture, the Eastern Cape education department, the national public works department, the SA Social Security Agency, and the SA Police Service.

"Last week we added the Ekurhuleni and Tshwane municipalities and the SA Broadcasting Corporation.

"While not pre-judging the investigations, the proclamations we issued are a clear indication of the resolve of government to combat corruption, mismanagement and maladministration at all levels of government and the public service."

Zuma said making blanket statements about corruption should be avoided, as they only served to "stereotype people".

For example an erroneous impression was created that all local government leaders and officials were corrupt.

The majority of mayors, councillors and officials in local government worked diligently and honestly. Corruption should therefore not be used as an instrument of fighting certain ideological or sectarian battles.

"It should unite all of us to ensure clean governance in both government and the private sector," he said.