Parliament, Tuesday, 5 March 2024 – The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has welcomed progress achieved in internal investigations into malfeasance within the Department of Home Affairs in the fraudulent issuing of visas and permits. The committee urged the department to increase the speed of the investigations into these matters to ensure that staff members linked to malfeasance are held accountable, while also acknowledging the need to follow due process to ensure successful disciplinary actions.
The committee today received a progress update on the implementation of recommendations flowing from the Lubisi report, which revealed that in excess of 45 000 visas and permits were issued fraudulently between 2014 and 2021. The committee was informed that 27 charge sheets have been finalised, five disciplinary hearings are proceeding, 10 disciplinary matters have proposed dates set down, 12 disciplinary matters have been concluded and nine officials have been dismissed. The committee has urged the department to intensify the speed of this work while adhering to due process to ensure that employees are held accountable.
The committee was concerned to hear that some of the implicated individuals are still in their posts, representing a risk to the investigation and which could lead to further problems in the processing of permits and visas.
Meanwhile, the committee welcomed the sound working relationship established between the Multidisciplinary Task Team, the department’s Counter Corruption Unit, the Labour Relations Unit, and ICT to assist the investigations and ensure that necessary information is available to ensure effective disciplinary processes.
Furthermore, it was noted that 28 matters have been referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation for further investigation and prosecution. Similarly, a further 94 matters are currently being considered for possible referral to the directorate. The committee acknowledged that criminal investigations are continuing despite the fact that some officials have resigned from the department, thereby curtailing internal disciplinary processes.
The committee reemphasised the need for the department to strengthen internal controls to prevent malfeasance from recurring. In line with this, the committee welcomed the additional human resources allocated to the immigration unit to strengthen adjudication processes.
Meanwhile, the committee also received a progress update on the implementation of the recommendations made by the Ministerial Review Panel report into the Government Printing Works (GPW). The committee noted the commendable implementation of the action plans to respond systematically to recommendations made. Most importantly, as part of these recommendations, capacity with the GPW’s IT infrastructure and backup, and contract management departments has been increased.
The committee welcomed the assurance that of the 167 identified areas of concern, interventions in 120 matters have been concluded and 47 are at various stages of completion. The GPW informed the committee that three critical general manager posts have been filled and all vacant positions within the contract management unit have also been filled, which will ensure contracts are managed effectively.
The committee also welcomed the assurance that the GPW’s ICT security strategy has been approved and is being implemented. Furthermore, collaboration has been strengthened with the State Information Technology Agency, leading to the signing of several ICT products and services.
The committee emphasised the need to strengthen the GPW'S internal processes and also its adherence to standard data handling protocols to ensure that previous challenges do not recur.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HOME AFFAIRS, MR MOSA CHABANE.
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