3 March 2000
STATEMENT BY THE MINISTER FOR THE PUBLIC SERVICE & ADMINISTRATION AND THE MINISTER FOR CORRECTIONAL SERVICES
The Ministers for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi and Correctional Services, Mr Ben Skosana, are pleased to announce that the report on the Management Audit of the Department of Correctional Services is now complete. A team of officials from the Department of Public Service & Administration (DPSA), the office of the Public Service Commission (PSC) and two experts from the United Kingdom on Criminal Justice matters conducted this audit.
While the report raised a number of negative issues, the Ministers would like to express their appreciation to the many dedicated and hard working staff in the Department of Correctional Services whose first priority has always been to serve the Government and the community to the best of their abilities.
The Management Audit focussed on the efficacy of the following areas:
The team has made a number of recommendations that were presented to the Minister of Correctional Services as well as the Management Board of the Department. To ensure implementation of the recommendations, we have agreed that a joint team will be set up to finalise implementation strategies and an action plan on the problem areas identified in the report.
During the course of the audit, several allegations of corruption and mismanagement came to the team's attention. Although these allegations are as yet unsubstantiated, they are viewed in a very serious light. Mr Muthanyi Robinson Ramaite, Director-General of DPSA will lead a team that will investigate these allegations with a view to instituting disciplinary action where appropriate. To strengthen the recommendations of the management audit report, we have agreed that the PSC will conduct an inquiry into human resource practices, including reviewing all appointments, promotions and performance awards since 1996.
We trust that these steps will enable the department to make a fresh start in providing a quality correctional service.
For more information contact Collen Msibi at
Tel: 012-3147250 or
Cell: 082 9030343
Issued by the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) for the Ministry of Public Service and Administration.
Pretoria,
03 March 2000