Public servants loot R100m

2010-09-23 21:19

Johannesburg - An anti-corruption commission would help prevent public servant corruption, the Afrikanerbond said on Thursday.

It was reacting to figures revealed by the Public Service Commission, indicating that public servants have looted more than R100m from the state.

"Afrikanerbond wrote to President (Jacob) Zuma...in which the serious concern about the systemic corruption in South Africa was expressed," said Afrikanerbond chief secretary Jan Bosman.

He said the R100m looted from the state between 2008 and 2009, was "only the tip of the iceberg".

"(The) R100m are only the amounts uncovered through investigations, Bosman said.

"The Public Service Commission's own estimate is that corruption in the public service is an outrageous 400% more than the previous financial year.

"The amount mentioned by the Public Service Commission is only with reference to national and provincial departments and excludes municipalities and parastatals."

Last year, it was announced that approximately 28% of all municipal officials have been appointed to posts that do not exist.

He said the anti-corruption commission should be based on international practices of similar commissions which have already been established in Asia and Africa.

"Such an independent anti-corruption commission should have wide investigative and prosecution competencies and anti-corruption courts must also be established."

Copies of the letter to Zuma were also sent to leaders of the opposition parties.

- SAPA