The Western Cape Department of Social Development has received information from a major bank that four of our employees may be embezzling department funds through an account that they opened together with an NGO. This information came to light last week when the officials concerned transferred over R80 000 into an account to which they had access.
The Department has subsequently suspended the four officials pending a full investigation, and disciplinary action will follow if the officials are found guilty.
Criminal charges have also been laid with the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The Western Cape Government is committed to clean governance. I will not tolerate any form of corruption in this department. I would like to thank the financial institution concerned for their vigilance, and encourage any members of the public, NGO sector or government officials who notice suspicious activities to come forward and report this information immediately to our corruption hotline 0800 701 701. We will take action.