37% of senior officials fail lifestyle audits

1 Views

The government in Gauteng revealed that 37% of senior officials have failed their lifestyle audits.

LIFESTYLE AUDITS

EWN reported that the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) was tasked to conduct audits of heads of department, CEOs and supply chain management officials. This is to ensure that officials do not engage in corrupt activities and to enhance ethical governance.

The audits found that 16% of senior officials were classified as medium risk, with the remaining 47% deemed low risk.

Chairperson of the Gauteng Ethics Advisory Council, Solomuzi Mabuza, told EWN that it was encouraging to see the implementation of lifestyle audits across the provincial government.

He noted that the audits cover the Premier, MECs, the director-general, all heads of department, and officials in high-risk roles. Mabuza emphasised the need to report wrongdoing through established channels and urged Gauteng residents to take note.

OVER 150 GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS DO BUSINESS WITH THE STATE

The Gauteng State of Ethics Report revealed that over 150 Gauteng government officials are illegally conducting business with the state. According to Section eight of the Public Administration Management Act, government employees cannot do business with the state, including securing tenders or contracts.

The report revealed that the Gauteng Department of Education links 124 of the 152 employees. Other departments involved in similar practices include Sport, Health, and Infrastructure Development.