HEATH SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT
INTERIM REPORT 1998/99
MISSION STATEMENT The Special Investigating Unit is committed to provide the highest quality professional forensic investigation and litigation service to all State institutions at national, provincial and local levels. The activities of the Unit are designed to effectively combat maladministration, corruption and fraud involving the administration of State institutions and to protect state assets and public money. |
The Honourable Speaker
National Parliament
PO Box 15
Cape Town
8000
30 September 1998
Dear Madam Speaker
REPORT IN TERMS OF SECTION 4 (1) (h) OF ACT 74 OF 1996
On behalf of the Special Investigating Unit, appointed in terms of Section 2 of Act 74 of 1996, we hereby submit to you a report as envisaged by the provisions of Section 4 (1) (h) of Act 74 of 1996.
This report is an interim report, which deals with the progress made by the Unit in achieving its goals for the six months ending on 30th September 1998.
The achievements and progress can be attributed to the grace of our Maker, hard and sustained work by the members of the Unit and the support received from various role players. My sincere gratitude is due to all concerned.
Yours Faithfully
JUDGE WH HEATH
HEAD OF UNIT
PURPOSE
The members of the Unit and I have pleasure in presenting this interim report on the activities of the Special Investigating Unit for the six months ended 30 September 1998 to the Honourable Speaker for submission to Parliament. The particulars presented include those envisaged by the provisions of Section 4 (1 ) (h) of Act 74 of 1996.
SCOPE OF THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 2 OF ACT 74 OF 1996THE SPECIAL INVESTIGATING UNIT
On establishment, the Special Investigating Unit was entrusted by the provisions of Section 2 to deal with the whole spectrum of clean administration and the protection of the interests of the public with regard to public money and public property. Section 2 (g) is an exception as it is not State related and deals with private interests of categories of the public. The provisions of Section 2 cover a wide field of unlawful action, corruption and maladministration. THE SPECIAL TRIBUNAL The Special Tribunal was established in terms of Section 2 of the Act. The Judges of the Tribunal are called upon to adjudicate on matters on the issue of efficient administration against the background of allegations of maladministration, corruption, etc. linked with the loss of State money and assets which impacts directly and indirectly on citizens of South Africa. During the last six months, Acting Judges Claassen and Pillay presided in the Tribunal. The Acting President of the Tribunal, Judge Kotze, was appointed by President Mandela in consultation with the Honourable Chief Justice I Mohammed, and has also presided over certain matters. We have requested on numerous occasions that the process in terms of which permanent Judges are appointed should be implemented. MANNER OF OPERATIONSThe Unit has designed an infrastructure to deal with the sophisticated malpractices with regard to the misappropriation of public money and assets, the laundering and the squandering thereof, and to equip the members to investigate cleverly designed activities of syndicates. Regular training sessions are attended by members and selected members attend seminars relevant to the activities of the Unit. The substantial achievements are a direct result of the unique system designed and implemented.
Investigations are broadly conducted in the following manner:
1. In investigating matters the Head of the Unit, Judge Willem Heath, is assisted by the following: -
2. The investigator structures of the Unit are divided into various investigating teams. The investigating teams are all under the control of Managers and are linked to the Legal Representatives and the experts. The investigating teams also have access to specialist investigators such as Accountants. Computer Experts and ad-hoc appointed experts.
3. The interaction between the investigating teams and the Legal Representative, consists of regular meetings where advice on evidence is obtained and investigations and investigative strategies are discussed.
4. Investigations follow the dictates of each individual case. Such investigations involve the gathering of information by obtaining evidence, statements from relevant witnesses and documents, which have a bearing upon the case. The assistance of the Legal Representatives is employed when witnesses are questioned in the form of a formal recording questioning session as envisaged by Section 5 (2) (c) of Act 74 of 1996. Documents are obtained by either voluntary handing over, by the process of search and seizure as envisaged by the provisions of Act 74 of 1996 or by subpoenaing witnesses to produce such documents as envisaged by Section 5 (2) (b) of Act 74 of 1996.
5. When the investigation is completed an assessment is made as to the probabilities of a successful civil action. If a decision is reached that civil action should be instituted, a document similar to a Summons in the High Court is prepared by the investigating team in consultation with their linked Legal Representatives and, by filing such document with the Special Tribunal, civil proceedings are instituted.
6. Civil action, very similar to that which can be found in the High Court, but with a streamlined procedure, follows thereafter. These civil actions are instituted before the Special Tribunal, which is a separate legal entity presided over by Judges who are not part of the Special Investigating Unit and who are appointed on the same basis as Judges of the High Court.
7. If the civil action is successful, judgement is obtained from the Special Tribunal, which has an effect similar to a finding of the High Court. Full effect can be given to this judgement, including execution and attachment. In that manner, transactions, measures or practices which might lead to a loss to a Sate institution may be prevented or set aside, or State assets actually lost may be recovered.
8. The Special Investigating Unit also has the powers to bring applications (inter alia for interdicts) in order to safeguard assets of State institutions or to prevent further losses. These applications are often brought as urgent applications and are dictated by the facts of the particular matter.
9. The Special Investigating Unit does not institute any criminal prosecutions. Its actions are limited to civil actions. However, in terms of the relevant legislation all matters of a criminal nature which come to the attention of the Special Investigating Unit are referred to the relevant prosecutorial authorities in order to proceed with criminal prosecutions. The investigation of the Special Investigating Unit is of great assistance to the prosecutorial authorities.
10 The Special Investigating Unit, in performing its functions, liase with other bodies such as the Auditor-General, the Public Protector, the Attorney-General, the South African Police Services, etc. in order to co-ordinate investigations into matters which fall within the jurisdiction of the Unit.
SUPPORT SERVICESThe Unit has employed a competent core of experienced, professional staff members to fulfil its function. The Unit has introduced a fully integrated financial system. This system allows the Unit to keep control of its own expenses and to manage and report on funds recovered on behalf of institutions and departments in the performance of its mandate. In addition the Financial Manager and his team provide expert assistance to the investigating component of the Unit.
The information technology function of the Unit monitors the planning and implementation of all software systems, ensuring that the system runs as a "live" on-line system, and ensures that the Unit is kept up to date with the changing technologies regarding hardware and software.
One of the key objectives of the Information Technology Department is to automate the office environment so as to promote a paperless society and to ensure that an effective and efficient service is provided at all times.
The above-mentioned is achieved by:
The concepts of "ease of use" and "user friendly" play a major role in designing our systems. One of the biggest problems in the computer arena is that the systems are designed for specialists. It is the Unit's objective to structure the user interface as uncomplicated as possible.
The Unit also has its own Web site on the Internet. This serves to inform the public at large on an international platform of our objectives, goals and accomplishments. It is envisaged that this site will play a major role in the electronic publishing; media of the future. Government as well as Corporate Institutions who have shown keen interest in our progress are kept informed through this medium on a day-to-day basis.
The Heath Special Investigating Unit has a fully functional library managed by -qualified Librarian. The Library is equipped with all the necessary media including books, journals and law reports to ensure a prompt and up-to-date service at all times. Research information required by the members of the Unit is made available upon request via the latest electronic sources and through the use of the computerised Library database.
The number of employees has grown substantially over the last year and there are presently 71 people employed by the Unit. However, this number is far below what is required for the Unit to be effectively optimised. It is our experience that there are numerous matters that still require investigation and wherever the Unit goes more work is referred to it. The North West Province for example had some of a number of proclamations published and those matters will be proceeded with in full force. The Northern Province, according to the Premier of the Northern Province, had submitted a number of proclamations to the office of the President, but only one had been published and therefore the other matters are not officially under investigation. A number of matters have been reported to the Unit in the Western Cape Province approximately 6 months ago, and no proclamations have been published. No cases have been referred to the unit in the Free State. In Gauteng there is virtually no progress. It is expected that many cases will emanate from these Provinces and indeed from other Provinces as the Unit becomes known to the public at large. It has therefore become essential to appoint additional members to the Unit to effectively deal with the expected increased workload.
The investigations of the Special Investigating Unit have now reached the stage
there a sufficient number of cases are ready for hearing to necessitate three simultaneous
sessions of the Special Tribunal on virtually all the available hearing dates. A
substantial number of successes have already been achieved and great steps have been made
in the investigation of other matters.
A few examples are discussed in some detail hereunder:
1. ln November 1997 a blank Warrant Voucher was stolen from the Magistrate's Office at Ekangala in Mpumalanga. This Warrant Voucher was fraudulently completed, resulting in an amount of R4.3 million being paid out to the fraudsters. The Unit became involved in an investigation into this matter during March 1998. The proceeds of the Warrant Voucher was traced to the banking account of a Close Corporation in East London. The Special Investigating Unit brought an Urgent Application in order to freeze the assets of a certain individual linked to this Close Corporation. This application was successful. The Unit thereafter proceeded to institute civil action before the Special Tribunal in order to recover the money from the party who was enriched by the proceeds of this Warrant Voucher. These proceedings culminated eventually in an Order granted on the 26th of August 1998 to the effect that the full amount of R4.3 million, along with interest at the legal rate be repaid to the State. The Unit has also ensured that the relevant party does have sufficient assets to pay back this amount and full recovery is virtually certain. The success in the civil action was however not enough for the investigators involved, and they succeeded in totally disproving the version of the person involved resulting in criminal charges now being proceeded with against this person by the Attorney-General. A further five people implicated in this fraud have also been arrested and will also be charged as accomplices in this matter. Some of the accused have been convicted and sentenced in the criminal courts.
2. It was brought to the attention of the Special Investigating Unit by a bank official that a certain attorney in Umtata had a large amount of money deposited into his bank account. The Unit thereafter embarked on an investigation and discovered that this attorney was paid approximately R12.5 million. His account, which had not been taxed, was submitted to the office of the State Attorney in Umtata and was paid after the necessary certification by an official in the State Attorney's office. The Unit promoted an Urgent Interdict in order to freeze the banking account of the said attorney and ultimately succeeded in getting a Court Order to the effect that all the money be transferred back to the Department of Justice. An amount of R13 million has been returned to the State already. The matter warranted further investigation and it was discovered that since the beginning of this year a further amount of R6 million was paid to him for services rendered on instructions of the State Attorney. Other payments to Legal Representatives by the Office of the State Attorney are also under investigation. The matter has been reported to the Prosecutorial authorities, the Law Society and the Department of Justice.
3. The Unit has continued with civil action in the Tribunal in order to recover farms in the former Transkei, which were previously leased to individuals and where lease contracts, in the opinion of the Special Investigating Unit are no longer lawful. These matters have taken up a substantial amount of time in the Tribunal and to date 117 orders have been obtained declaring occupation unlawful and evicting the unlawful occupiers. The value of the farms is approximately R20,645 million. These farms have now become available to the Department of Agriculture and Land Affairs as well as the Department of Agriculture (Eastern Cape).4. Information was obtained through an informer that a State cheque was to be presented at a bank, unknown at that stage, for an unknown amount, in the town of Kokstad. It was alleged that the cheque was stolen and would have been presented fraudulently. An Urgent Interdict was granted by the Special Tribunal to stop payment of the cheque and when the person presented the cheque for payment, payment was refused. The value of the cheque was R540 000.00.
5. A claim was dealt with by the Special Investigating Unit on behalf of the City Council of Durban. An amount of R625 000.00 was involved and it was alleged that fraud was committed with regard to lease agreements in respect of plant hire equipment by the City Council. Initially an Urgent Application was brought to attach the assets of one of the Defendant's to the value of R625 000.00. The Unit instituted civil action before the Special Tribunal and the matter has now been finalised to the extent that an Order was obtained for repayment of the whole amount to the State. In this manner an amount of R625 000.00 which was lost has been returned to the relevant State institution.
6. The Unit is also involved in the well-publicised Sarafina II investigation. The investigation is completed and civil action is to be instituted shortly. However, even before proceeding with civil action, the Unit has already managed to recover vehicles and equipment to the value of
R4 million.7. The Unit is involved in an investigation regarding the Magwa Tea Corporation, a parastatal in the former Transkei. The Corporation was liquidated and it is alleged that after the liquidation substantial amounts of money were paid out to former employees to settle their housing loans, car loans and school fees. The amount in dispute is R10
million. The Unit has brought an Interdict to freeze the bank accounts of the employees involved and has already instituted civil action to recover the money. One of the employees repaid the money taken in this manner and in this way an amount of R311 000.00 has already been recovered by the Unit.8. The Unit investigated the lawfulness of the occupation of and the erection of structures on State land near Garies in the Northern Cape Province. The Unit instituted civil action before the Special Tribunal in this matter and obtained eviction orders for the approximately 50 families who have erected structures on the State land. The land in question (Groenriviermond) has been earmarked for tourist development, which can now go ahead. The value of the property concerned is approximately R4 million.
9. The Unit investigated allegations of maladministration regarding the granting of bursaries to certain individuals. The investigation culminated in the recovery of a one-off payment amounting to R40,160 and Acknowledgements of Debts amounting to R81,120 to be paid over an average period of 3 years.
10. The Unit launched two Applications in the Special Tribunal for the attachment and removal of State owned vehicles procured by the Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal from the premises of various vehicle merchants in the KwaZulu-Natal area. These vehicles, which include emergency vehicles, ambulances and water tankers, were being held by the vehicle merchants who claimed to hold liens over the vehicles. In both Applications the Tribunal handed down judgement in favour of the Unit. In the first application 372 vehicles were recovered. The value of the vehicles recovered, according to the Department of Transport, KwaZulu-Natal, amounts to approximately R33 million.
11. The Unit instituted action in the Special Tribunal against six banking institutions as well as eight other Defendants whereby the Unit claimed that various rental contracts entered into between the Provincial Government of the Northern Cape and the said banking institutions, for the use of office equipment, in particular photostat machines, were invalid inter alia on the basis that proper Tender Board procedures had not been followed. The Unit has reached a settlement of the issues with Mercantile Bank Limited, which settlement agreement has been made an Order of the Tribunal. In terms of the settlement agreement, Mercantile Bank Limited conceded the voidness of the rental agreements and a fresh instalments sale agreement has been entered into between Mercantile Bank Limited and the Northern Cape Provincial Government resulting in a saving to this Province of approximately R2 million. Other defendants are also in the process of negotiating settlements with the Unit and the Provincial Government.
12. The Unit received information through an informer that the CEO (Mr Alan Gray) of the Mpumalanga Parks Board issued three (3) Guarantees/ Promissory Notes to the value of 50 million US Dollars (R340 million) without the required authorisation of the MEC's of the Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism and Finance and without Board authority. An Interim Interdict was issued by the Head of the Unit, stopping the discounting of any of the Guarantees. This Interim Interdict was confirmed by the Special Tribunal. The original documents were recovered in the United States by a member of the Unit and a Senior Official of the Reserve Bank.
Cases successfuly completed and/or in respect of which orders were granted from 01 April 1998 to 30 September 1998.
| No | Description of cases | Value |
| 1 | RECOVERING OF FARMS IN FORMER TRANSKEI | 20 645 000.00 |
| 2 | RECOVERING OF STATE OWNED VEHICLES DEPT OF TRANSPORT: KWA ZULU-NATAL |
33 000 000.00 |
| 3 | DAILY BREAD FEEDING SCHEME: ATTACHMENT OF ASSETS | 4 500 000.00 |
| 4 | STOLEN CHEQUE - KOKSTAD:STOP PAYMENT | 540 000.00 |
| 5 | FRAUD: LEASE AGREEMENTS - CITY COUNCIL OF DURBAN | 625 000.00 |
| 6a | BUTTERWORTH - COUNCILLORS: READY FOR TRIAL | 1 300 000 00 |
| 6b | BUTTERWORTH - ARREAR SERVICE LEVIES: PROCESS OF RECOVERING | 31 000 000.00 |
| 7 | RENTAL AGREEMENT - KIM DIAMOND: READY FOR TRIAL | 2 300 000.00 |
| 8 | LEASE AGREEMENTS (PHOTOSTAT MACHINES) - NORTHERN CAPE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT: SETTLEMENTS - TOTAL AMOUNT IN ISSUE WITH SOME DEFENDANTS | 17 000 000.00 |
| 9 | STOLEN BLANK WARRANT VOUCHER - DEPT OF
JUSTICE MPUMALANGA: RECOVERY OF MONIES |
4 300 000.00 |
| 10 | SAFARINA II: READY FOR TRIAL | 6 000 000.00 |
| 11 | MAGWA TEA CORPORATION: READY FOR TRIAL | 10 000 000.00 |
| 12 | FRAUD - MOTOR FINANCE SCHEMES | 435 000.00 |
| 13 | ALIENATION OF HOTELS, A HOLIDAY RESORT AND OTHER IMMOVABLE PROPERTY - TRANSKEI COAST INTERDICTS TO STOP TRANSACTIONS | 6 000 000.00 |
| 14 | OCCUPYING STATE LAND FOR HOLIDAY PURPOSES - WEST COAST (CARIES): JUDGEMENT GRANTED | 4 000 000.00 |
| 15 | OVERCHARGED FEES ATTORNEY: UMTATA FULL RECOVERY OF R13 MILLION. R5 MILLION TAXED OFF ACCOUNT DURING INVESTIGATIONS AND BALANCE TO BE CLAIMED | 18 000 000.00 |
| 16 | STOLEN BLANK CHEQUES - EC DEPT OF EDUCATION - INVESTIGATION ALMOST COMPLETED | 1 232 000.00 |
| 17 | BURSARIES - DEPT OF PUBLIC IC WORKS: EC: RECOVERED WITHOUT TRIBUNAL ORDER | 196 000.00 |
| 18 | OVERPAYMENT TO PRIVATE COMPANY: (EX CISKEI DEFENCE FORCE) | 58 000.00 |
| 19 | FRAUDULENT QUOTATIONS - DEPT OF PUBLIC WORKS (EC): NON DELIVERY: PAYMENTS STOPPED | 130 000.00 |
| 20 | MPUMALANGA PARKS BOARD - PROMISSORY NOTES/GUARANTEES: INTERDICT TO STOP PAYMENT / DOCUMENTS RECOVERED IN NEW YORK | 340 000 000.00 |
|
501 261 000 00 |
|
It has already been indicated that the Special Tribunal will have a heavy roll in the last term. It is anticipated that by the time this report is tabled in Parliment, that approximately 1500 new Regulation 7 Notices (Summons) will have been served or ready to be served. More exact details will be available within the next two to three weeks.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT OF ACT 74 OF 1996
A draft amendment of the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act, Act 74 of 1996 has been forwarded to the Minister of Justice and other relevant authorities. The need for the proposed amendments arise from the practical difficulties experienced by the Unit. The amendments are all aimed at streamlining the process of successfully combating maladministration, corruption and misappropriation.
A major obstacle for the effective functioning of the Unit has been the requirement that allegations must first be referred to the necessary authorities, "hereafter a (usually) lengthy process is followed before the Department of Justice submits a draft Proclamation to the office of the President and which culminates in a Proclamation referring the matter to the Unit for investigation. The lapse of time before a Proclamation can be obtained often leads to great frustrations and to a large degree negatively affects the swift reaction of the Unit. For example the bringing of Urgent Applications in cases where the need arises is seriously hampered by this as the Unit does not have locus stand) to bring such applications unless the matter has been proclaimed. To amend the legislation to remove this requirement of a Proclamation would also have the effect that the President would not have to be involved as to which matters would have to be investigated by the Unit, and therefore would not be a party dragged into legal proceedings. The full motivation for the proposed amendments has been forwarded to the Minister of Justice and the other role players.
In terms of the provisions of Section 2 of the Act the matters referred to the Unit are forwarded to the Department of Justice and thereafter to the Office of the President to consider the publication of a Proclamation in terms of which a matter is referred to the Unit for investigation and for further action in the Special Tribunal if necessary. Should a matter fall within the exclusive competence of a province, the President will only exercise his powers in this regard after consultation with or at the request of the Premier of the province concerned.
The spirit of and the motivation behind the legislation was to create an expeditious process. Apart from the peak performance of the Unit once a case has been referred to it, the proclamation is a dismal failure. Notwithstanding the views expressed by the President's office and on behalf of the Department of Justice as long as about ten months ago and notwithstanding the preparation by the Unit of draft amendments, which were welcomed by all parties concerned, the Unit is not aware of any steps taken to implement the amendments. We again point out same.
The provisions of Section 2 as presently formulated create serious difficulties. A number of role-players are consulted prior to the publication of a proclamation. It has been the experience of the Unit that the prescribed procedure not only results in enormous delays which affect the functioning of the Unit, but the mere fact that a role-player can refuse to give his approval for the referral of a matter to the Unit can lead to even further delays.
Very often investigations need to be conducted without disclosing the fact of an investigation to the political head or to the senior management of the department concerned. In terms of the present system the culprits may receive ample warning of an investigation which in turn enables them not only to delay the matter, but also to cover their tracks by, for example, destroying crucial evidence.
Notwithstanding the less than ideal situation regarding the process of obtaining Proclamations, a number of matters have been referred to the Unit since publication of the Unit's Annual Report dated 31st March 1998.
A total number of sixteen new Proclamations dealing with approximately 108 categories of cases have been published. It must be emphasised that each of these proclamations consists of numerous categories of cases, which in turn consist of numerous individual matters.
Some examples of delays are the following: -
In addition to the above, a further 69 categories of cases have been referred to the Department of Justice since the 31st March 1998 and are awaiting publication. Proclamation, requested by the Unit in respect of Gauteng during November 1997, the Northern Province during October/November 1997 and March 1998 as well as the Western Cape during June 1998 are still outstanding. As already indicated, the Premier of the Northern Province has stated publicly that his office had referred a number of matters to the President's office and save for one case proclaimed some time ago, the other matters have not been proclaimed.
South Africa has been applauded on various forums on the unique legal concept of the Special Tribunal and the Special Investigating Unit.
The interest is overwhelming. This was demonstrated: -
1. During a visit by Judge Heath to the USA on invitation of the U.S. Government, Judge Heath was asked by the World Bank whether he is willing to assist with advice in various countries where the World Bank experiences problems with the assistance rendered by the Bank.
2. During an International symposium on corruption in Malaysia, Judge Heath, who made a speech, was overwhelmed by the excitement amongst the delegates when they learned about the provisions of Act 74 of 1996 and the actual recoveries made. Many business cards changed hands accompanied by requests on behalf of governments and institutions to make contact with the Unit (in some cases desperate calls for assistance).
3. At two different symposiums in Cambridge, United Kingdom, reaction to the activities provided for by the provisions of Act 74 of 1996 was extremely positive.
We would like to express our gratitude to the Government at all levels for their initiatives and co-operation with regard to the work of the Tribunal and the Unit.
The support of opposition parties help to make things easier. We would like to encourage them to persist in their positive contributions.
The general public shows a loyalty and enthusiasm, which is unique. The anti-corruption morale is~in itself already a step in the right direction.
We recognise the positive support of Non-Governmental Organisations and in particular their contribution to our work.
The business world and Unions realise that asset protection and recovery promotes the financial interests of the country. These institutions can, and we believe will, make a valuable contribution to the success of our work.
The media, exposing the bad and emphasising the good, have succeeded admirably to introduce and advocate the activities of the Unit. Publicity by the media of the achievements of the Unit, does Lot only assist in uncovering corruption and maladministration, but also to promote the deterrent effect of the recovery and protection of the property and money of the people of South Africa.
The recognition which we enjoy in speeches made by the President, the Deputy President, the Ministem~f Justice and other high ranking officials, sends out a message to those involved in corrupt activities, that their activities no longer pay.
Finally the dedication and professionalism of each member of the Unit, make the impossible, possible.
The involvement and profile of the Special Investigating Unit in the field of investigating maladministration, corruption, etc. is growing all the time. The public is becoming aware of the nature of the work that the Unit can do and the potential it has for the safeguarding and recovery of the assets of State institutions. The involvement of the Unit in almost all the Provinces of our country will lead to a dramatic increase in workload. The Unit is in a phase of growing and expanding in order to cope with these increased pressures.
It will be clear from this report that the operations of the Unit are of great benefit to the State. Firstly, the Unit is in a position to prevent future losses for the State, secondly, it can fulfil an important function in safeguarding State assets and thirdly, it can play a role in the actual recovery of losses that have already occurred. It is not always easy to quantify the exact amounts of money saved by preventing future fraudulent transactions, nor is it always easy to put a figure on amounts of money safeguarded where unlawful transactions are interdicted or stopped before they can be completed, or even when assets are recovered for the State (e.g. farms). It will however be clear that besides these huge savings the actual recoveries of the Special Investigating Unit, as reflected in this Interim Report, amount to figures well in excess of the budget of the Unit of approximately R16 million. Whilst the Unit secures large savings and safeguardings as well as returns of property to the State, even as a pure cash investment, it brings in a substantial return far the State.
An issue, which has become clear over the last six months, is the deterrent effect that the Unit has. As public knowledge of the work of the Unit grows, one is made aware of a perception that is growing amongst the community that something is being done about corruption. This not only is a deterrent from committing acts of corruption and maladministration, but also helps to restore faith in the economic future of this country.
This leads to a situation where the people and institutions who are investigated, offer to settle their indebtedness from shortly after the commencement of an investigation to before the matter is heard by the Special Tribunal. Finally, the Unit has played a definite role in developing a culture of payment in a number of Transitional Local Councils. Serious payments have started.
The
contact details of the Heath Special Investigating Unit are:- |
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| Tel No: (0431) 726 9705 Fax No: (0431) 726 9261 / 726 9269 Email: heathsiu@heathsiu.co.za Website: http://www.heathsiu.co.za |
Address: Sanlam Park 59 Western Avenue Vincent East London 5247 |
PO Box 893 East London 5200 |