Zero Tolerance
The Department of Water Affairs has a zero tolerance policy towards fraud and
corruption. Officials, clients, contractors and suppliers are therefore urged to
report all acts of fraud and corruption committed by employees of the
department, contractors, and suppliers.
Fraud and Corruption
"Fraud and corruption" Includes, but is not limited to, the following:
- Fraud, i.e. the unlawful and intentional making of a misrepresentation resulting in actual or potential prejudice to another;
- Theft, the unlawful and intentional misappropriation of another's property or property which is in his/her lawful possession, with the intention to deprive the owner of its rights permanently;
- Corruption can be defined as directly or indirectly accepting or agreeing to accept any gratification from another person; giving or agreeing to give any other person any gratification in order to influence that person directly or indirectly to exercise his powers, duties or legal obligations;
- Conflicts of interests- This involves a public servant acting or failing to act on a matter where the public servant has an interest or another person or entity that stands in a relationship with the public servant has an interest.
- Failure to report corrupt transactions;
- Personal use of resources, e.g. telephones, internet, e-mail; and vehicles;
- Misuse of assets, e.g. reckless driving of a state vehicle;
- Irregular destruction, removal, or abuse of records (including intellectual property);
- Soliciting gifts or favours from consultants, suppliers or customers, e.g. acceptance of "kick-backs";
- Pursuing private business interests without permission;
- Nepotism- This involves a public servant ensuring that family members are appointed to public service positions or that family members receive.
- Favouritism- This involves the provision of services or resources according to personal affiliation (for example ethic or religious) of a public servant.
Ways to report fraud and corruption
Allegations of fraud and corruption can be reported to the National
Anti-Corruption Hotline.
A National Anti-Corruption Hotline (NACH) has be set up for the Public Service to
ensure that all cases of corruption are reported centrally and re-directed to
the relevant departments for investigation. The department would after
investigating the allegations, provide feedback to the Public Service Commission
on how the matter was handled.
The NACH replaces existing hotlines in various government departments and
provincial administrations.
Vital to this function is the assurance of anonymity, commitment to investigate
all irregularities, protection of whistle-blowers and consistent application of
the fraud policy, regardless of the seniority of the alleged offender.
NB: The hotline is strictly for reporting on cases of corruption, and does not
cater for service delivery complaints - unless these involve corruption as well.
Required Information
The following information will be required when reporting fraud and corruption:
- Names and phone numbers of people involved.
- Date and time of incident.
- The Department (s) involved.
- Province or regional office where incident occurred.
- Any proof which may exist.
- Amount of money involved.
- Whether what you are report is a regular happening?
- Any other?
Action to be taken by the Department
Action taken by Department will depend on the nature of the allegation. The
matters raised will be screened and evaluated and may subsequently:
- Be investigated internally; or
- Referred to the SAPS or other law enforcement agency.
Any fraud and corruption committed by an employee or any other person will be
pursued by thorough investigation and to the full extent of the law, including
(where appropriate) consideration of:
- In case of employees, taking disciplinary action within a reasonable period of time after the incident;
- Instituting civil action to recover losses;
- Initiating criminal prosecution by reporting the matter to the SAPS or any other relevant law enforcement agency; and
- Any other appropriate and legal remedy available.
Protection Of Whistle Blowers
The Protected Disclosures Act was promulgated to facilitate reporting by
employees (whistle blowers) of fraud, corruption or other unlawful or irregular
actions by their employer(s) or co-employees without fear of any discrimination
or reprisal by their employers or co-employees. An employee who reports
suspected fraud and corruption may remain anonymous should he/she so desire.
No person will suffer any penalty or retribution for good faith reporting of any
suspected or actual incident of fraud and corruption which occurred within the
Department.
Toll Free Number: 0800 701 701
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