The Portfolio Committee on Water Affairs has flagged the problem of government officials accused of corruption and fraud who escape disciplinary proceedings by simply resigning from their jobs.
Members of the committee made this observation during a briefing from the Department on Water and Sanitation on the status of disciplinary hearings and cases investigated by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU).
The committee found it unacceptable that some disciplinary proceedings were closed before completion due to resignations or retirement of implicated officials. Mr Stephen Moore, a member of the committee, questioned this practice and recommended changes to the laws and regulations that allow accused officials to avoid accountability by simply changing jobs.
“We cannot allow people to escape disciplinary hearings by leaving the job. In some cases, people are fired after being found guilty of serious misconduct but it just ends there, no criminal charges,” said Mr Moore.
Another committee member, Ms Malebo Kobe agreed that it is worrying that accused officials avoid prosecution by resigning. “It cannot be acceptable that people resign in the middle of the disciplinary process and they are absolved,” she said.
The committee resolved to organise a workshop to thoroughly discuss the backlog of disciplinary cases in the department and water resource agencies. The committee agreed to invite the department, the SIU and the National Prosecutions Authority to discuss the backlogs in finalising these cases.
Departmental cases investigated by the SIU include several acts of misconduct relating to irregular appointments of service providers, manipulation of the payment system, payment for work not done, irregular contract extensions, overpriced goods and services and the contravention of section 217 of the Constitution, among other things.
Department official Ms Nthabiseng Fundakubi told the committee that some of the delays in the disciplinary hearings are beyond the department’s control, such as illness, which forces postponements.
The Minister of Water and Sanitation Minister, Ms Pemmy Majodina, said the department has historically been affected by financial mismanagement, irregular expenditure and weak governance, which have undermined its core mandate of delivering water and sanitation services. “The ministry has adopted a zero-tolerance approach stance on fraud and corruption and committed to restoring the department’s credibility. Consequence management is being enforced with sanctions, including suspensions, dismissals and, where appropriate, criminal prosecutions,” she said.
On concerns about delays, the Minister told the committee that although it appears that there is limited progress on the disciplinary cases, the department has strengthened its capacity in ensuring that all cases are handled in a just and fair manner.
Sakhiel Mokoena
1 April 2026
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