Press Statement dated 23 January 2019
The Public Servants Association (PSA) is shocked about revelations to the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, implicating numerous Department of Correctional Services (DCS) senior managers in corruption and bribery.
The PSA that represents thousands of DCS employees is also concerned about the lack of decisive action being taken against DCS employees who are implicated at the Zondo Commission. “The allegations being levelled against certain senior managers are very serious, but it appears that they are being ignored. Such conduct further impacts on employees’ safety as the DCS is quick to plead poverty as far as serious understaffing in over-crowded correctional facilities are concerned. DCS employees are paying with their lives while some senior managers mismanage money simply to gain lucrative, corrupt personal rewards, whilst billions are still owed to employees,” said PSA General Manager, Ivan Fredericks.
The PSA is demanding speedy and decisive action by the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services, Mr Michael Masutha, to restore the trust of the public and DCS employees. “The DCS is also tasked with the rehabilitation of offenders. How can this function be worthy of respect if senior officials who are supposed to be beyond reproach are implicated in unlawful conduct?”, said Mr Fredericks.
“The PSA demands that all contracts by these implicated companies be terminated with immediate effect. The Minister is also called upon to apply discipline in the DCS consistently and not to shy away from action when senior officials are implicated. Based on President Ramaphosa’s recent public undertakings to rid the country of corruption, this matter also deserves his immediate attention,” said Mr Fredericks.
Issued by Ivan Fredericks, General Manager, Public Servants Association (PSA)