1000 officials convicted of housing fraud – dept

Over 1 000 officials have been convicted of fraud related to sub-standard government housing, the department of human settlements has said.

“Contractors who were responsible for this shoddy workmanship are currently being prosecuted and public monies being recovered,” it said in a statement today.

Yesterday, Parliament’s human settlements portfolio committee heard input from the SA Human Rights Commission and the Public Protector on the delivery of government housing.

The department said housing contracts worth R20 billion had been identified for investigation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

“A total of 59 housing contracts worth R4 billion have already been investigated and finalised. These relate to the payment of contractors for incomplete and poorly constructed houses.

“The SIU is currently conducting 13 criminal investigations on this matter. Potential public funds recoverable … amount to R101 million.”

The department said it had gone ahead with prosecutions against 1 061 officials suspected of fraudulently benefiting from government housing programmes during the past two financial years (2010/11 and 2011/12).

Of these officials, 1 002 had been convicted, and an amount of R17.9 million recovered.

- Sapa