East Cape News (Grahamstown)
7 October 2003
Grahamstown — Only three Eastern Cape provincial departments - Health, the Treasury and Safety and Security - have responded to the Public Service and Accountabilty Monitor's (PSAM) request issued in May for information regarding reported cases of misconduct, corruption and maladministration.
Nine other departments and the Legislature have not yet responded to the PSAM request.
This was revealed by the PSAM in a press release yesterday (subs: Tues).
409 cases of misconduct, corruption and maladministration had been reported at the time the PSAM issued it's request on 18 May.
PSAM case monitoring researcher Dr Neil Overy praised the three departments for responding to the PSAM request. Dr Overy said that these departments had provided the PSAM with the opportunity of informing the public of their progress in handling cases of corruption and mismanagement.
"They have given the PSAM the chance to begin transforming the current negative perception of government's approach to corruption and maladministration," said Dr Overy.
However, Dr Overy strongly criticised the nine departments and the Legislature which failed to respond to the PSAM request. "By failing to supply the PSAM with information they have been unable to prove to the public at large that they are serious about tackling the problems of corruption and maladministration," said Overy.
Dr Overy said that "public trust in the government can be strengthened and democracy consolidated in the Eastern Cape" if government departments responded to PSAM requests for transparency in detailing their actions in reported cases of corruption and maladministration.
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