Mr V B Ndlovu (IFP) to ask the Minister of Correctional Services:
(1) How many officials of her department have been (a) investigated for and (b) charged with corruption (i) in the (aa) 2007-08, (bb) 2008-09, (cc) 2009-10 and (dd) 2010-11 financial years and (ii) during the period 1 April 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available;

(2) Whether any of the said officials have been promoted whilst they were under investigation; if so, what are the relevant details;

(3) Whether any officials of her department have been found guilty of substance abuse on duty (a) in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09, (iii) 2009-10 and (iv) 2010-11 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aa) how many and (bb) what are the further relevant details;

(4) Whether any officials of her department have been found to have been promoted into positions they are not qualified to hold (a) in the (i) 2007-08, (ii) 2008-09, (iii) 2009-10 and (iv) 2010-11 financial years and (b) during the period 1 April 2011 up to the latest specified date for which information is available; if so, (aa) how many and (bb) what are the further relevant details;

(5) Whether any of the said officials have since been removed from the specified positions; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?

REPLY
(1) (a) and (b),
* DCS Disciplinary Code Clause (i) refers. Data includes cases of theft, Bribery, Fraud and
Corruption.
(i) (aa) 2007/08 - 424
(bb) 2008/09 - 143
(cc) 2009/10 - 87
(dd) 2010/11 - 172
(ii) 2011/12 up to 31 January 2012 - 69

(2) The Department is not aware of employees who were promoted whilst being investigated. If the honourable member is in possession of the names of individuals who allegedly have been promoted whilst investigations were pending, I would welcome such information to enable me to look into the possibility of erroneous promotions.

(3) Yes
The data for the number of guilty verdicts per misconduct category for the financial years 2007/2008/2009 and 2010 are not readily available in DCS Head Office and must be obtained from Management Areas. However, information about the number of cases registered per misconduct category and the successful prosecution rate per financial year are available. Based on averages it would be possible to provide approximate figures for the said financial years. The exact figure for the 2011/12 financial year up to 31 January 2012 is available and is provided below:
(a) (i) Yes
2007/08
48 – (61 cases were recorded with a successful prosecution rate of 78.5%)
(ii) Yes
2008/09
20 – (24 cases were recorded with a successful prosecution rate of 84.6)
(iii) Yes
2009/10
10 – (12 cases were recorded with a successful prosecution rate of 82.5%)
(iv) Yes
2010/11
83 – (110 cases were recorded with a successful prosecution rate of 75%)
(b) 2011/12 – up to 31 January 2012
71
(aa) Since 1 April 2007 a total of 232 employees have been found guilty on charges of substance abuse.
Approximate figure. Refer to the note above.
(bb) No further details are provided.

(4) No, posts in the department are filled in line with the requirements as advertised.

(5) Based on our response to question (4) above, the department has not removed any official from his/her position.