Sisulu gives some detail on anti-corruption bureau

07 March 2013 - 16:04 By Sapa
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Lindiwe Sisulu. File photo.
Lindiwe Sisulu. File photo.
Image: Gallo Images

Moves are afoot to amend the Public Service Act to ensure misconduct cases against errant officials do not drag on, Public Service Minister Lindiwe Sisulu said on Thursday.

Briefing journalists, Sisulu said this was one of several projects the department was embarking on to align itself with the objectives of the National Development Plan.

"As the National Development Plan states, we must move ourselves from a tender state to a developmental state," said Sisulu.

The anti-corruption unit in the department would be re-modelled into an Anti-Corruption Bureau, which is based on a system used by the Tanzanian government.

Sisulu said the current system did not have enough "muscle and power" to make it effective against corrupt practices.

"We do not have the investigative capacity nor the powers to investigate."

The incapacity of government departments to deal with misconduct cases meant officials suspected of misconduct remained suspended with pay for long periods of time.

"This is something we need to do something about... [we need to] fast-track the process of misconduct cases. We want a bureau which has the muscle to do these things and work with other anti-corruption agencies in the state," she said.

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