Question NW788 to the Minister of Human Settlements
25 April 2017 - NW788
Malatsi, Mr MS to ask the Minister of Human Settlements
(1)With reference to the forensic investigations that have been initiated against the staff and board members of the Estate Agency Affairs Board, Social Housing Regulatory Authority, National Housing Builders Registration Council, Housing Development Agency, National Urban Reconstruction and Housing Agency, Rural Housing Loan Fund and Community Schemes Ombud Service in each of the past three financial years, what is the (a) name of each company appointed to conduct the investigation, (b) total amount of each contract, (c) deadline for completion of work and (d) reason for failure to meet each specified deadline; (2) whether any staff or board members (a) were fired or (b) resigned as a direct result of the specified investigations; if so, (i) how many persons and (ii) what was the date of the termination of the specified person’s contract in each case; (3) whether any of the specified persons received a severance package as a result of the termination of their contract following the conclusion of forensic investigations; if so, what was the total amount paid out in severance packages in each case?
Reply:
(1) The Estate Agency Affairs Board, National Housing Builders Registration Council, Housing Development Agency, National Urban Reconstruction and Housing Agency, Rural Housing Loan Fund and the Community Schemes Ombud Service have not initiated any forensic investigations against the staff or board members in the past three financial years
In respect of SHRA, it is to be noted that on or about July 2013, the National Department alerted the Social Housing Regulatory Authority Council of alleged act(s) of maladministration of management. The SHRA Council then commissioned a forensic audit investigation, which determined that there was substance to the allegations.
Further investigations were conducted and finalized under the leadership of the Accountant General and National Treasury, who concluded that disciplinary action be taken against officials of SHRA and the department who were involved in the conduct investigated. With respect to criminal conduct, the Accountant General referred those aspects to law enforcement agencies for further action in the normal course. My department will be informed of progress should their involvement be required. Regarding the assets that were in possession of third parties, those aspects were also referred by the Accountant General to the Asset Forfeiture Unit ( AFU) for preservation and forfeiture to the State.
(2) The officials involved resigned from SHRA before the Accountant General commenced with the investigation. Another official left due to the contract of employment coming to an end.
(3) No