Police's technology division accused of corruption
09 May, 2012 15:25
Paul Vecchiatto
BusinessLIVE
BusinessLIVE
The police's information, communications and technology (ICT) division is to be investigated over allegations of corruption, says Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa.
Police Minister Nathi Mthethwa
"Currently the department had a budget of approximately R2.6 billion on technology, as allocated under the Technology Services Management (TMS) division. However, allegations of tender mismanagement, irregular expenditure and lack of return on investment have been brought to my attention," he said.
The SA Police Service's ICT Division plays a central role in the combatting of online crime including fraud and child pornography.
Mthethwa said a two-pronged strategy would be adopted to deal with the problem.
"Firstly, I have instructed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegations of corruption in the TMS environment," he said.
The second was that Mthethwa had instructed the division to compile a turn-around strategy with a clear plan on what the expenditure for the ICT Division would amount to over the next five years.
Mthethwa said he expected this plan to be delivered to him by the end of this month.
"All major projects must be planned for and speak to our operational priorities, which must be accompanied by transparent procurement processes," he said.
Mthethwa also said that the inter-ministerial Anti-Corruption Task Team that was specifically established to investigate public sector corruption had made significant successes by arresting 38 suspects for fraud and corruption amounting to R212,528,988 and seized assets totalling R150 million.
The SA Police Service's ICT Division plays a central role in the combatting of online crime including fraud and child pornography.
Mthethwa said a two-pronged strategy would be adopted to deal with the problem.
"Firstly, I have instructed that the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks) to conduct a comprehensive investigation into allegations of corruption in the TMS environment," he said.
The second was that Mthethwa had instructed the division to compile a turn-around strategy with a clear plan on what the expenditure for the ICT Division would amount to over the next five years.
Mthethwa said he expected this plan to be delivered to him by the end of this month.
"All major projects must be planned for and speak to our operational priorities, which must be accompanied by transparent procurement processes," he said.
Mthethwa also said that the inter-ministerial Anti-Corruption Task Team that was specifically established to investigate public sector corruption had made significant successes by arresting 38 suspects for fraud and corruption amounting to R212,528,988 and seized assets totalling R150 million.
http://www.businesslive.co.za/southafrica/sa_companies/2012/05/09/police-s-technology-division-accused-of-corruption
