The Star reports that the scourge of corruption in the Department of Water and Sanitation has seen 138 of its employees being criminally charged, with 97 of them having been found guilty.  

This was revealed by Human Settlements, Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and her director-general Mbulelo Tshangana at a briefing on Tuesday.  Sisulu said corruption, fraud and maladministration had been systemic in the department over a period of time.  She explained:  “In all, we have investigated 249 cases and 139 of them were found to be true and were referred for disciplinary action.”  Sisulu noted that financial problems in the department had been so serious that it was declared bankrupt by the National Treasury and the auditor-general.  Of the 138 officials charged, 11 were at management level while 86 ranged from general workers to middle management.  Tshangana said the department had written to the Treasury to condone R10bn of the R16bn of irregular expenditure in the department.  “The people who were involved in … that irregular expenditure have been charged. Some have been dismissed and some have been given three months’ suspension without pay. Others have resigned,” he indicated, adding that they would “chase” those who had resigned if they were found to have been involved in criminal activities.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Siviwe Feketha on page 2 of The Star of 14 May 2020

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