Mchunu vows to isolate self-enriching public servants
Public Service and Administration Minister Senzo Mchunu has slammed public servants who loot state resources amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
This comes after a growing number of reports detailing the theft of millions of rands from government coffers since the start of the lockdown.
Government officials and other employees have come under fire for being among those accused of the widespread looting.
On Friday, Mchunu launched the public service month, where he called on public servants to desist from being party to corruption and fraud.
“We feel obliged to reiterate that Section 195 of the Constitution of South Africa enjoins government to construct, promote and maintain a civil service that serves all South Africans equally and guided b a high standard of ethics. Even if the Constitution did not make provision for it, we would nevertheless be obliged to insist on it because ethics are important as a tool of trade we require and use in the service of our people.
“We must therefore take this opportunity to call on all public servants to desist from criminal and corrupt activities that rob the people of vital and limited resources. We must fight and isolate the corrupt among us and treat them like the enemies of the people that they are,” Mchunu said.
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Makwetu was briefing Parliament's Standing Committee on the Auditor-General on Friday. He briefed MPs after releasing his report on R147.4 billion of government's Covid-19 relief funding, in which he found "frightening" evidence of fraud and mismanagement. "There is a lot of money that has not yet been spent or transferred to third parties whether in the form of procurement or funds transferred.
Mchunu added that the claims of corruption smear the efforts of government of efficient service delivery.
“We cannot grow this country if those entrusted with managing sate resources for the benefit of all see the state as a vehicle of self-enrichment.
“We cannot make this country a freedom, peace and prosperity for all if service delivery is neglected by elected officials and public servants who believe holding a position of authority is an opportunity to get rich,” he said.