Page 164 - Department of Social Development Annual Report 2021

PART C: GOVERNANCE

3: FRAUD AND CORRUPTION

The Department’s fraud prevention plan and how it How the cases are reported and what action is
has been implemented. taken

During the reporting period, the Department reviewed its It is the responsibility of all employees of the Department
Anti-Corruption and Fraud Prevention Policy. The policy to report all incidents of corruption and fraud or similar
was adopted and approved by Management Committee conducts relating to actual or potential financial losses.
(MANCO) in September 2020 for implementation. This The reporting procedures are dealt with in detail in the
policy is intended to curb all forms of corruption and Response Plan.
fraud within the Department and demonstrate the
attitude of the Department towards all forms of The first step is for the employee to approach his/her
corruption and fraud through re-enforcement of existing immediate supervisor/ manager, unless he/she or the
regulations aimed at prevention, detection, investigation senior management is the subject of the complaint, in
and resolution to corruption and fraud. which case the Internal Audit Unit should be informed.
Should the complaint be found by the Senior Manager to
The objectives of the Anti-Corruption and Fraud be substantiated, he or she will consult with the Internal
Prevention Policy are as follows: Audit Unit on whether the matter should be investigated
• To install a culture of zero tolerance to corruption internally or referred to the appropriate external body
and fraud within the Department such as the South African Police Services (SAPS).
• To re-enforce existing regulations aimed at The process requires concerns to be raised in writing,
prevention and detection of corruption and fraud; providing the background and history of the concern,
• Create awareness to all employees, outside service giving names, dates and places where possible. The
providers and suppliers to the Department in order complainant should also set out the reasons why they are
to get a buy-in in the fight against corruption and particularly concerned about the situation. Those who are
fraud; uncomfortable to put their concern in writing can call the
• To take appropriate corrective action against Public Service Commission Hotline number on 0800 701
perpetrators; and 701. The earlier the concern is reported, the easier it is to
• To improve or implement the necessary controls on act and initiate recovery procedures where necessary.
fraud risk areas
Annexure A of the policy explains the Department’s Internal disciplinary action
Anti-Corruption and Fraud Prevention (ACFP) Plan. The
Anti-Corruption and Fraud Prevention (ACFP) is a The PSCBC Resolution No. 2 of 1999 prescribes the
dynamic strategy that will continuously advance as the disciplinary measures applicable to the Public Service.
Department’s circumstances change. Annexure B explains Government employees who are found to have
the Department’s Anti-Corruption and Fraud Response committed or were involved in an act of corruption or
Plan. The plan provides details of how the Department fraud will be subjected to punitive measures as
and its employees should respond to all incidents or prescribed in the above-mentioned resolution.
suspected incidents of corruption and fraud.
Introduction Health and Safety Committee
Mechanisms in place to report fraud and
corruption and how these operate The Occupational Health and Safety Act, 1993 (Act No.85 The Acting Director General (ADG) has reconstituted a
of 1993), requires the employer to bring about and new Health and Safety Committee comprised of senior
Annexure C of the policy explains or provide a means by maintain, as far as reasonably practicable, a work managers, middle managers and junior staff. This was to
which staff is able to raise concerns with the appropriate environment that is safe and without risk to the health of ensure the appointment of members who will serve the
line management, or specific appointed persons in the the workers. The Act require both the employers and the interest of all employees as far as health and safety
Department, where they have reasonable grounds for workers to take responsibility for health and safety. This matters are concerned. The functioning of this Committee
believing that there is fraud and corruption within the is addressed through the principle that dangers in the was a key requirement in terms of COVID-19 protocols
Department. The Protected Disclosures Act, Act 26 of workplace must be addressed by communication and across all government departments. Various branches
2000, which became effective in February 2001, provides cooperation between the workers and the employer. Both were invited to nominate Health and Safety
protection to employees for disclosures made without parties must pro-actively identify dangers and develop Representatives for the Health and Safety Committee.
malice and in good faith, in defined circumstances. In control measures to make the workplace safe. In this way, The Health and Safety Representatives were formally
terms of the Protected Disclosures Act, employees can the employer and the workers are involved in a system appointed in January 2021. The Committee meets to
blow the whistle on fraud and corruption in the working where health and safety representatives may inspect the initiate, promote, maintain and review measures of
environment without the fear of suffering an workplace regularly and then report to a health and ensuring the Occupational Health and Safety in the
occupational detriment as defined by the Act. The safety committee, who in turn may submit Department.
Department’s management encourages staff to raise recommendations to the employer. The Department has a
matters of concern responsibly through the procedures revised Occupational Health and Safety Policy which was
laid down in Annexure C of the policy. approved by MANCO in January 2021.

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ANNUAL REPORT 2020/21 164

Training of Health and Safety Representatives Effect it has on the Department

The Health and Safety Representatives serving on the Sanitisation of the workplace: The offices will continue to
Occupational Health and Safety Committee must have a be sanitised monthly or as and when required. All
thorough knowledge and understanding of the legislative common areas, boardrooms, lifts and areas with high
requirements (Occupational Health and Safety Act). They traffic volume will be sanitised on a more regular basis.
must also be aware of their duties and responsibilities as All protocols on the management of Covid-19 in the
well as to be familiar with all administrative workplace remain in force.
requirements involved for safety at the workplace. The 21
newly appointed Health and Safety Representatives of General Hygiene: The cleaning services will continue to
the Health and Safety Committee were trained on their ensure that the workplace is kept clean at all times. All
responsibilities following their appointment in January officials in the Department must always promote and
2021. maintain good hygiene practices.

Procurement of Personal Protective Equipment Provision of personal protective equipment: The
Department will continue to apply the “no mask – no
The following Personal Protective Equipment was entry” policy in line with all protocols and directives
procured as part of internal interventions in response to issued to mitigate Covid-19 infections. No staff member
Covid-19 pandemic: or visitor may refuse to wear personal protective
• Procurement of Covid-19 freestanding perspex equipment as such has been declared compulsory by the
desk screens for protection of officials that Department of Health.
need social distancing. These are used by staff Social Distancing: The maintenance of the 1.5-meter
who have direct contact with other officials social distancing will continue to be observed on all
and the public. The Covid-19 desk screens floors, reception, lifts and offices.
prevent the spread of the Covid-19 virus and
protect officials from direct contact with Officials are regularly reminder of all the Departmental
others. protocols that were developed in the past as well as
• The procurement of a total of 300 one-litre Circulars 11, 15 and 18 of 2020 that were issued by the
hand plastic sanitiser spray bottles for each Department of Public Service and Administration.
office in the Department (Human Sciences
Research Council (HSRC), Harlequins Office
Park and the Gender-Based Violence Command
Centre (GBVCC) buildings).
• The procurement of light commercial disinfec-
tant fogger machine and disinfectant for the
decontamination the 45 GG vehicles on a
regular basis. At a minimum, it was required to
clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces
in the vehicle at the beginning and end of each
utilisation of the vehicle and between trans-
porting passengers. It was also required to
ensure high-touch surfaces such as the steer-
ing wheel, seat belts, driving controls, gear
lever, windows, keys, seats and door handles
are cleaned and disinfected.
• The procurement of 30 000 disposable masks
for all staff and visitors in the HSRC, Harlequins
and GBVCC offices.
• The procurement of the decontamination and
sanitisation services for the HSRC, Harlequins
and GBVC buildings on monthly basis as a
Covid-19 prevention measures. The offices will
continue to be sanitised monthly or as and
when required.
• The procurement of 11 000 (initial 5 000 and
additional 6 000 litres) of 70% alcohol-based
hand sanitiser.
• The procurement of automated hand sanitiser
dispensers.
• The procurement and distribution of First Aid
Kits.