More than 7500 civil servants have been reported to the National Anti-Corruption Hotline for offences such as fraud, theft and bribery over the past six years; but only two cases resulted in successful prosecutions.
According to figures released by the Department of Public Service and Administration, 7529 civil servants were reported to the hotline by anonymous whistle-blowers for offences that include abuse of government resources; corruption-related acts; procurement irregularities; and fraud and bribery.
Fraud and bribery accounted for 1618 reports to the hotline. This included instances where government officials were alleged to have received kickbacks from members of the public to influence tenders, and traffic officers receiving bribes from motorists.
The hotline also received 564 complaints about officials who were fraudulently selling ID books and other documents.
Out of the 2 839 civil servants who faced internal disciplinary hearings, 251 were found guilty of misconduct, resulting in 86 dismissals. Another 45 were suspended while 120 received final written warnings.
The department said in all cases where there has been a successful conviction or a dismissal, the case is referred to the Asset Forfeiture Unit for the recovery of stolen goods or money, and R100-million has been recovered.
DA public service and administration spokesman Anchen Dreyer said the low rate of conviction and dismissals of corrupt public servants created an impression that government was soft on corruption.
Dreyer added that figures given by the anti-corruption hotline were just the tip of the iceberg.
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