Department Corruption Allegations; Committee Programme

Meeting report

HOME AFFAIRS PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE
30 May 2001
DEPARTMENT CORRUPTION ALLEGATIONS; COMMITTEE REPORTS AND PROGRAMME

Chairperson: Mr Mokoena (ANC)

Documents Distributed:
Memo Concerning Proposed SADC Study Tour
Memo from Department of Home Affairs, Northwest Regional Director

Relevant Documents:
Draft Committee Report on Recent Field Trips
Proposed DA Amendments to Draft Committee Report

SUMMARY
A private individual made allegations to the Committee about departmental officials supplying workers from Lesotho and Mozambique with South African passports and visas to enable them to work in local mines as well as in Southeast Asia and Switzerland.

The Committee went over the reports of its recent field trips to Department offices in Cape Town and border posts and facilities in the Northern and Northwest Provinces.

The Committee reviewed its itinerary for the proposed study tour to SADC countries two weeks during the August parliamentary constituency period. A committee delegation will travel to Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Gaborone,Francistown, Harare, Beitbridge, Maputo, Manzini, Maseru, Maputswe/Ficksburg and Qacha's Nek to view various points of entry.

MINUTES
Corruption in Department: Allegations
Mr Gabarone from Welkom presented the Committee with an account of corruption in the Department of Home Affairs in connection with supplying workers from Lesotho and Mozambique with South African passports and visas to enable them to work in both local mines and in Southeast Asia and Switzerland.

Mr Gabarone alleged that a South African company named "Shaft Sinkers", which he indicated was "associated with Anglo-American," had helped co-ordinate this activity with the assistance of a syndicate of department officials at Maseru Gate, in the Free State, and in Pretoria. He stated that his efforts to bring this corruption to the attention of other officials, including those in the anti-corruption task force, and persons in the Foreign Affairs Department and President Mbeki's Office, had been ignored. He also indicated that, despite the recent coverage of the matter in the Swiss media, the South African embassy there had taken no action, and inferred that the Ambassador to Berne was also involved in the corrupt practices. He also alleged that the workers' pay had been withheld, and that they were subjected to abusive living conditions, particularly in Laos.

After his presentation of film clips of reports by Swiss television on the matter, and specimen examples of the bogus documents, the Chair allowed members to question the presenter. The Chair himself asked whether evidence of the allegations had been presented to NUMSA and the Swiss unions, and in reply Mr Gabarone stated that Swiss unions had investigated the matter and documented the problems.

Mr Grobelaar (DA) asked if Mr Gabarone had looked into a connection between this matter and the activities of the Thebe company, which in the past has been alleged to be involved in such activities.

Mr Gabarone replied that he can show that a web of companies is involved in these practices.

Mr Sikakane (ANC) questioned the purpose of bringing these allegations before the Committee, stating that it seems like an inter-governmental matter to be addressed with the Lesotho authorities.

Mr Gabarone replied that Home Affairs is directly involved in the corruption, which must be addressed as a matter of national integrity.

Mr Grobelaar (DA) agreed that the matter was within the Committee's ambit as there was alleged involvement of Home Affairs officials. The Chair concurred with this. Mr Kalako (ANC) recommended that the Committee look into this aspect of the allegations, which the Committee agreed to do.

Committee Report on Recent Field Trips
The Chair briefly reviewed the proposed draft report on recent Committee field trips to Department offices in Cape Town, and border posts and facilities in the Northern and Northwest Provinces. He commended Committee Secretary Vermeulen for his preparation of the document. Mr Beukman (DA) suggested a number of amendments to the report, which were accepted by the Committee. These will be incorporated into a revised version of the report.

Committee Programme, including Proposed SADC Study Tour
The Chair reviewed the draft itinerary for the proposed Committee study tour to SADC countries (Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland and Lesotho) which is to take place over two weeks during the July/August parliamentary constituency period. Thirteen people will travel to Windhoek, Walvis Bay, Gaborone,Francistown, Harare, Beitbridge, Maputo, Manzini, Maseru, Maputswe/Ficksburg and Qacha's Nek to view various points of entry.

Mr Beukman (DA) suggested that the motivation for the tour be revised, clarifying and focusing on the necessity of finalizing the SADC protocol on the regional movement of people in the context of departmental functions. He suggested that visiting Angola, the DRC, and Congo/Brazzaville might also be worthwhile, given the large number of individuals from those locales coming into South Africa.

The Chair concurred. He noted that the proposed schedule would be fine-tuned subject to flight availability and re-circulated for members' comments prior to its June 5 submission to the Chief Whip for approval.

Concerning the Committee's general programme, the Chair went on to commend the members for the quality of the recent budget debate in the National Assembly, and particularly for highlighting the pressing budget and transformation issues confronting the Department of Home Affairs.

He noted that once the Immigration Bill is finalised by the Cabinet this year, the Committee will have a big role to play. In the meantime the planned SADC trip, and a visit to Pretoria to see the Home Affairs National Information System (HANIS) and other department facilities, will be valuable in assisting members in their oversight capacity. Prior to the Pretoria trip he would be formulating, with members' input, a questionnaire to be provided in advance to department officials to facilitate the information-gathering process.

Discussion
Mr Beukman (DA) requested that the Department provide an indication as to when the Immigration Bill will be presented. He added that the Committee should focus its attention on the evolving HANIS programme and its implementation. He pointed out that the Standing Committee on Public Accounts will address the Auditor General's Report on the Home Affairs Department on 20 June, and suggested that Committee members attend that SCOPA meeting.

The Chair commended the Auditor General's Report on the Department, noting that it had focused on some of the issues which the Committee had previously highlighted.

Mr Grobelaar (DA) suggested that the Committee look at the IEC. The Chair agreed, saying that the IEC Chairperson should appear and explain what has been happening with that entity.

Mr Lekgoro (ANC) recommended that the Committee further consider integration of funding issues with the proposed decentralization of delivery of civic services by the Department via municipalities. Mr Sikhosana (ANC) concurred with this.

The Chair adjourned the meeting, noting that the Committee Secretary would confirm with members logistical details of the June 5 visit to Cape Town harbour to review Department facilities and procedures.