The South African Department of Correctional Services is seeking assistance from the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to enhance its lifestyle audits, according to National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale. This move comes after Thobakgale conceded that the department's current approach to lifestyle audits is a weakness. The department is currently exploring a memorandum of understanding with the SIU to formalize their collaboration.
Thobakgale told the Madlanga Commission that lifestyle audits are typically triggered by information from financial disclosures, vetting, or other concerns, rather than being conducted routinely. He emphasized that ideally, lifestyle audits should be carried out regardless of available information, but this requires capacity and resources. The department's current approach has raised concerns about its ability to detect and prevent corruption.
The department's vetting process for officials generally has a validity period of five years, after which it is repeated. However, a promotion does not automatically trigger fresh vetting unless the new position requires a higher level of security clearance. Financial-interest disclosures are made annually by specified categories of employees, which are then sent to the Public Service Commission for verification.
Thobakgale revealed that suspended KwaZulu-Natal Regional Commissioner Mnikelwa Nxele is the only senior manager who has not submitted the required annual financial-interest disclosure. As a result, Thobakgale has ordered a lifestyle audit, which will form part of disciplinary charges against Nxele. Nxele is also facing separate fraud and money-laundering charges related to Bosasa.
The department has expressed concerns about the limited reach of its requirements, which leaves officials exposed to undue influence, conflicts of interest, corruption, and improper financial relationships. Thobakgale advocates for disclosures or vetting to occur at the lowest level that interacts with inmates in a correctional setting. Currently, lower-level officials may undergo suitability checks when information is received about alleged activities or when they are promoted.
Thobakgale identified slow vetting of officials in sensitive positions as one of the department's systemic constraints. These positions include deputy commissioners, directors, area commissioners, heads of correctional centres, and unit managers. Public Service Commission Chairperson Somadoda Fikeni has also suggested that frontline personnel across the criminal justice system should be subjected to vetting.
The Madlanga Commission will resume its proceedings today, with a focus on addressing the systemic constraints and vulnerabilities within the Department of Correctional Services. The commission's findings and recommendations are expected to have significant implications for the department's efforts to prevent corruption and ensure effective service delivery.
Key points
- The Department of Correctional Services is seeking help from the SIU to strengthen its lifestyle audits and prevent corruption.
- The department's current approach to lifestyle audits has been identified as a weakness, with audits typically triggered by specific information rather than being conducted routinely.
- The department is also exploring ways to extend its vetting requirements to lower-level officials who interact with inmates in correctional settings.
