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Minister of Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation, Lindiwe Sisulu, appointed advocate Terry Motau SC to lead a team of lawyers who review all reports of fraud, corruption and irregular spending in the department, and ensure that all recommendations are followed. fully implement.
Sisulu said there was a lack of consequence management in the department, and as a result, many officials involved in fraud and corruption were still on the job or suspended for pay.
“I have directed Defender Motau and a team that he will work with, that I want all reports of fraud, corruption and irregular spending by the department and all water boards to be reviewed and all recommendations to be implemented.
“Officials and service providers involved in corruption must face the consequences,” Sisulu said in a statement Tuesday.
In 2018, Motau released his report, titled The Great Bank Heist, who investigated fraud and corruption at the now-defunct VBS Bank, compiled with Werksmans Attorneys.
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The report estimated that almost R2 billion was looted from the bank. More than 50 people benefited, News24 reported.
Sisulu said it therefore believed that Motau had the necessary experience to lead the team of professionals to ensure that there was impact management and value for money in the water sector.
Priority
She wants priority to be given to all the accusations faced by the water boards and senior managers of the Department of Water and Sanitation.
“I received a report that more than R16 billion projects have been irregularly issued, including general corruption and fraud by officials, to the point of winning tenders for themselves and their close relatives,” Sisulu said.
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Last week, AmaBhungane reported that the CEOs of Amatola Water and Lepelle Northern Water claimed they were under attack because they were hampering efforts to manipulate offers and designate a well-connected company for drought relief programs.
At the heart of the allegations is Mphumzi Mdekazi, a close confidant and Sisulu adviser. Amatola Water CEO Vuyo Zitumane and his Lepelle Northern Water counterpart Phineas Legodi both state in affidavits that Mdekazi and the department have tried to pressure them to use a technology called sand water extraction to extract water. of the sandy channels.
Both are currently on “preventive suspension”.
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