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The Democratic Alliance (DA) will submit a Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) application today for the Department of International Relations and Co-operation (DIRCO) to release a report on fraud and maladministration in its operations.

DIRCO has reportedly refused to reveal the details of the report, which apparently cites nepotism, irregular appointments and ghost workers.

I will also be submitting parliamentary questions to the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, to determine how the problems highlighted in the report are being addressed.

DIRCO needs to deal with this report in an open and transparent way. South Africa’s attempts to play a leading role on the continent and globally should not be compromised by government cover-ups and dishonesty.

The original report was apparently presented to the Department in May 2011. Findings that have since been leaked reportedly include the need for a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) investigation into paying of salaries to non-existent staff; a lack of transparency in appointment processes and evidence of favouritism; and a breakdown in the relationship between employees and management, which included the “humiliation” of some ambassadors

If there is a pending crisis at DIRCO, South Africans have a right to know about it and to understand what is being done to address it. The DA will be taking all necessary steps to ensure that this information is made public.