Question NW151 to the Minister of Police
22 February 2017 - NW151
Redelinghuys, Mr MH to ask the Minister of Police
With reference to paragraphs 14.8 and 14.9 of the recommendations contained in the report compiled by CPN Forensic and Accounting Services on 23 April 2014 into alleged irregularities at SA Police Service (SAPS), did the SAPS initiate an investigation in terms of the Public Financial Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 and the Treasury Regulations into possible fruitless, wasteful and irregular expenditure with the awarding of a scarce skills allowance to certain persons (details furnished); if not, why not; if so, in each case what was (a) the outcome of each investigation and (b) what further action was taken?
Reply:
(a) No investigation was initiated in terms of the Public Finance Management Act, Act 1 of 1999 and the Treasury Regulations, as there was no (a) fruitless, wasteful or irregular expenditure with regard to the awarding of the scarce skills allowance.
14.8 Mr Nkgodi
At the time of him being awarded the scarce skills allowance, Mr Nkgodi was already performing the respective duties classified as scarce skills. He had completed three years of service performing those duties, although he did not possess any formal relevant qualifications. Prior and during his deployment in the Questioned Documents Unit, Mr Nkgodi received extensive training and development, as well as mentorship and guidance, upon completion of such training.
SAPS Directive with reference 4/2/1 dated 13 November 2006, paragraph 8, reads as follows:
“where internal training is provided to an employee in order for him to perform the required duties in a scarce skills occupation category, such training/qualification will be recognised for the payment of the allowance to the employee”
Taking the above into consideration, internal training combined with his three years of experience in the field, qualified Mr Nkgodi for the allowance.
14.9 Major General Shezi
At the time of receipt of the scarce skills allowance, Major General Shezi was responsible for Quality Management within the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), as a Control Forensic Analyst. She was in possession of a BSC degree from the University of Durban Westville, which is the required qualification, as well as relevant experience in the field, dating back from 1996. She was also a trained DNA expert, responsible for the Quality Management System of the Biology Section of the FSL.
Major General Shezi qualified for the scarce skills allowance in terms of the Scarce Skills Policy, read with SAPS directive 4/2/1, dated 13 November 2006, paragraph 4.1 which reads as follows:
“4.1 The Minister, in terms of the powers vested upon him, approved the payment of a monthly scarce skills allowance to the following occupational categories:”
R6,333-00 |
R1,500-00 |
R1,000-00 |
R400-00 |
Task Force Members – this is in line with allowances paid for Task Force Members in the SANDF |
Scientific Analyst Unit |
Questioned Documents Unit |
Armoury |
Mechanical and metallurgical Engineers |
Ballistics |
Hostage Negotiator |
|
Chemistry Unit |
Facial Identification Experts |
Diver |
|
Biology Unit |
Criminalistics Experts |
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Facial Reconstruction |
Radio Technical Services |
||
Technical Personnel (LAME) |
Serious Economic Offences |
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AFIS Project Manager |
Commercial Branch |
||
Architects and Engineers |
Organised Crime |
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Explosives Unit |
- As a result of the above explanation, no further action was taken.