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Date : 26/09/2005
Source: Department of Correctional Services
Title: Mti: Briefing on implementation of anti-corruption strategy


  Speech of Correctional Services Commissioner Linda Mti at a media briefing on the progress made in implementing the anti-corruption strategy towards good governance

Introduction

Allow me to welcome you to the first of a series of media briefings we have planned to inform the public on the progress made by the Department of Correctional Services, working with its partners, to create an ethical and secure correctional system that cares.

The South African Constitution implores us to maintain and promote high standards of professional ethics in the delivery of correctional services that is consistent with good governance practices. The White Paper adopted by Cabinet in February 2005 acknowledges that, as a correctional system dealing with a community of individuals who have not just broken the law but are often not reluctant to break it again, a systematic and comprehensive strategy to fight fraud and corruption is necessary.

To create a caring correctional system in a South Africa that truly belongs to all, correctional officials need to be upright with integrity, honesty and sound ethical work practices. These are values correctional services hopes to instil in the offender, in order to contribute to the creation of a just, peaceful and safe society. It is with pride to say we are on track with the tightening of management systems and the implementation of the departmental anti-corruption strategy.

Historical perspective

During the first 11 years of freedom, we have made strides in our quest to transform a secretive penal prison system (that constituted a breeding ground for flourishing unethical practices) towards the ideal correctional system characterised by zero tolerance of fraud and corruption. During this period a human rights culture was entrenched, oversight functions were established and strengthened over correctional services delivery thereby ensuring full accountability and openness.

Over the past few years the department has taken diligent steps towards ensuring good governance through, among others, a concerted anti-corruption strategy. The environment created became conducive to more exposure of unethical conduct, resulting in various corrective interventions initiated by correctional services including:

* The management review undertaken with the Department of Public Service and Administration;
* The institution of the Jali Commission to investigate fraud and corruption which is due to finalise its report;
* Building of partnerships with the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) and other law enforcement agencies to deal with cases of fraud and corruption that emerged from amongst others, the Jali Commission;
* The assistance of these agencies in building internal departmental investigative and code enforcement capacity, and
* The passing of the White Paper on Corrections and the launch of Centres of Excellence to spearhead integrated implementation of the new policy direction.

These developments are progressively enhancing the capacity of correctional services management to focus and deliver on the core mandate of the department.

Achievements

Correctional services has a comprehensive anti-corruption strategy that is anchored on building institutional capacity for management efficiency and effectiveness as well as fraud and corruption prevention, investigation and sanctions.

To implement the strategy an anti-corruption toll free line (0800 204505) was established to promote secure and protected reporting of suspected incidents of fraud and corruption by offenders, members, partners and members of the public. The whistle blowing programme resulted in over 270 suspected cases reported, nationally, in 2004. This reporting has significantly improved as in the first eight months of 2005 already 233 cases have been reported to the DIU only due to the awareness campaign and action against fraud and corruption. Negotiations have been finalised for the transfer of the anti corruption toll free line to the Public Service Commission in line with a Cabinet decision.

Never before has the Department of Correctional Services been so well positioned to deal with fraud and corruption with such a success rate as now. We seek to ensure that we can only move from strength to strength in cleansing the department of these scourges that result in abuse of public resources for selfish and sectoral interests at the expense of common good.

The department has been able to achieve results through its internal capacity and partnerships with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the National Prosecuting Authority, the Directorate of Special Operations and the South African Police Service. Together we have followed up many allegations made by among others, inmates and unearthed many instances of fraud and corruption which include:

* Fraudulent claims against the Medical Aid Fund;
* Abuse of the First Auto Fleet card;
* Unlawful operations in correctional centre pharmacies and kitchens; and
Medical aid fraud

Investigations determined that medical practitioners, correctional officials and private pharmacies colluded to submit false claims against the Medical Aid Fund. There were three fraud variations identified. These include the submission of false claims against innocent DCS officials’ accounts, collusion of officials and doctors to make excessive medical aid claims, supply of non-medical goods like groceries and claims made against the medical aid fund.

Twenty-five (25) medical practitioners were referred for criminal investigations. Ten were arrested and brought to courts resulting in one (1) being convicted, another one (1) unfortunately committing suicide and eight (8) court cases are still being heard. Fifteen (15) of these medical practitioners are still being investigated and are expected to appear in court soon. All these cases have also been reported to the Medical and Dental Council of South Africa for action. Over R47 million has been recovered from 46 medical practitioners and there is a potential additional recovery of R80 million from 16 doctors.

Two-hundred and forty four (244) correctional officials were referred for criminal investigations resulting in 28 prosecutions and five (5) convictions and one acquittal. From nine (9) of these officials R585 000 was recovered.

More effective control measures have been instituted including members contributions, verification of accounts by members, claim reviews, pre-authorisation of dispensing of chronic medication and reporting of suspected cases of fraud.

SIU Correctional Centre visits

Since the launch of the programme, the SIU visited 169 of the targeted 179 correctional centres for investigating allegations of fraud and corruption in pharmacies and kitchens as well as other complaints.

This has been a massive operation with 103 496 offenders and 16 927 officials interviewed. Irregular procurement, unhealthy storage conditions and expired medicines were dispensed. As a result, 398 cases were referred for internal investigations and disciplinary processes. Four (4) officials resigned, 105 were found guilty, 10 were dismissed and 95 received warnings while other cases are still pending.

On First Auto Fleet Card investigations, a number of irregularities were identified and investigations are expected to be finalised in December 2005. Transport management officials in regions have been trained on the management of the system to be able to prevent, detect and stop abuses.

It should also be noted that some of the visits unearthed no fraud, corruption or maladministration resulting in the SIU reporting to the department that many centres are run properly, an increasing trend in the past months. Internal investigations and sanctions

I am pleased to announce that with the partnership of the DCS’ internal investigation unit and the SIU, we are achieving over 80% success rate with disciplinary cases related to fraud, corruption and maladministration. Of more than 444 reported cases of dishonesty investigated nationally, 39 officials have been dismissed while 125 cases were closed due to lack of evidence.

Without doubt, we are closing in on fraudsters and corrupt elements in the department and in partnership with members of the criminal justice system, also closing in on stakeholders and members of the public that are involved in unethical behaviour. We will not tolerate any fraud and corruption as we seek to build a caring correctional system that is the pride of our nation.

Intensifying the march to the second decade of freedom with pride

Correctional services is investing more on intensifying its internal capacity through various initiatives aimed at promoting good governance and eliminating gaps for fraud and corruption. The department will:

* Continue with the training of management started last year with the University of Pretoria in ethics.
* Improve internal control to ensure the compliance with government policies and procedures.
* Intensify detection, investigation and sanctions in areas already identified as susceptible to fraud such as procurement, kitchens, pharmacies, parole, fleet management and recruitment.
* Heighten efforts to mobilise all role-players in correctional services delivery to join in fighting fraud and corruption by reporting suspected instances of fraud to the departmental or Public Service Commission anti-corruption hotlines and other law enforcement agencies.

Correctional services is a microcosm of our society and therefore, as the White Paper says, efforts to root out corruption can only succeed when the society takes responsibility for building good citizenship, preventing, reporting and fighting of fraud and corruption. We call on all product suppliers, service providers including non-governmental organisations and families of inmates to clean up their act in order to help us clean our system for the good of all.

As we seek to implement the ideals enunciated in the White Paper on Corrections in South Africa, we will leave no stone unturned in our march to be one of the best correctional systems in the world.

Stop the silence, report fraud and corruption to correctional services toll-free line 0800 204 505 or to Public Service Commission hotline 0800 701 701.

Issued by: Department of Correctional Services
26 September 2005
   

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