41 suspects, including senior government officials and business friends, defrauded the department of basic education in Mpumalanga out of millions of rands. (Photo: Provided)
The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure took immediate action against corruption when a senior director of the department was summarily suspended due to his alleged involvement in a large-scale tender scandal in Mpumalanga.
Dean Macpherson, the minister of public works and infrastructure, immediately ordered disciplinary proceedings after the official concerned was arrested in connection with tender fraud of R113 million. These funds were earmarked for the urgent repair of schools in the province.
Bonginkosi Madikizela, the DA’s spokesperson on public works and infrastructure, says the party welcomes this decisive demonstration of leadership.
“This step is proof of the type of accountability that South Africans have long deserved.”
Maroela Media earlier reported that an investigation by the Hawks revealed that 41 suspects, including senior government officials and business friends, defrauded the department of basic education in Mpumalanga out of millions of rands.
Madikizela argues that the culture in which officials are allowed to line their pockets while remaining on the state’s payroll is now being brought to an end.
Dean Macpherson (Photo: GCIS)
“When the minister was informed of the official’s arrest, he suspended him immediately. This clearly shows that the DA does not tolerate corruption at all.”
He further elaborated that for too long government departments have been slow to act against officials facing serious criminal charges. In the past, such officials were often allowed to continue drawing their full salaries while their legal cases dragged on for years.
However, the real tragedy of the alleged fraud lies with the 21 schools in Mpumalanga which are still in a terrible state.
“The alleged fraud, which includes R113 million diverted from a tender intended to repair 21 schools, is a stark reminder of the human cost of corruption. Those classrooms remain broken and children must be taught in damaged facilities. Every rand stolen from public infrastructure is a direct attack on the communities that depend on it,” he says.
Although the fight against corruption in the national government is a long-term process, Madikizela believes that the momentum is now unstoppable. He emphasizes that the DA is taking the lead in restoring integrity in the public service.
“This momentum against corruption in the national government must be sustained until every corrupt official is removed. The DA is leading the fight to restore integrity in the national government.
“Even if it is not going to happen overnight, it is already well underway. Accountability for corruption is not a high standard – it is the minimum requirement, and this is exactly the standard by which this department will be measured,” says Madikizela.
