Johannesburg - President Jacob Zuma has ordered investigations into corruption in several government departments.
According to a statement on the presidency's website published on Thursday, Zuma has directed the Special Investigating Unit to "investigate supply chain related concerns" in seven government departments.
"The SIU has started detailed investigations into these matters, and is treating them as ones of extremely high priority. Each investigation will be staffed by a substantial team of forensic investigators, lawyers, accountants and analysts," the presidency said in the statement.
The departments include the Gauteng health department, the human settlements department, the arts and culture department, the education department in the Eastern Cape, the national public works department, the South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the South African Police Force (SAPF).
Co-operating
The departments were "co-operating fully" with the probes.
In the arts and culture department, the SIU will focus mainly on the recovery of funds and ensuring accountability for wrongful spending that may be uncovered.
The department, said the presidency, had already taken disciplinary action against a number of staff members.
Procurement will come under the spotlight in the public works department.
"The department of public works (DPW) investigation will be one of the biggest ever launched by the SIU, and will focus primarily on procurement within the department - including the assessment of numerous leases negotiated by DPW for and on behalf of client departments, some of which involve significant amounts.
"The investigation originates in a request from the minister of public works (Geoff Doidge) that the SIU assist in addressing serious concerns he had regarding procurement processes in the department."
Scrutiny
Procurement and the mismanagement of funds will also be scrutinised in the Eastern Cape education department.
A further probe will be conducted into procurement by the South African Police Force - on recommendation from police watchdog, the Independent Complaints Directorate.
"The SIU intervention... has received the full support of the national commissioner of police (General Bheki Cele), who is committed to ensuring that procurement within the SAPS is undertaken in a clear and transparent manner and in accordance with the necessary supply chain management prescripts."
The SIU has already been working with the social development department and Sassa "for several years" to look into irregularities in handing out social grants.
The proclamations directing the SIU to investigate the departments were gazetted on June 8, June 30 and August 10.
- SAPA
