The State IT Agency (SITA) commissioned a survey to understand the reality, degree and patterns of corruption in the organisation and in government ICT acquisitions.
Speaking at the GovTech conference, in Durban, SITA CEO Moses Mthimunye yesterday noted that allegations of corruption and mismanagement levelled against SITA and its employees over the years had to be investigated.
“The persistence of these allegations has caused us great harm, both from a reputation and credibility view. Hence we want to start dealing with these things so blame can be apportioned correctly. These allegations cannot be SITA's problem only,” he said.
The report was carried out by the chief of strategic services and reveals high levels of corruption in the organisation. Mthimunye added the agency had spent R10 billion in ICT procurement since 2003, and corruption was to be expected.
“Obviously, this is lucrative and shenanigans are bound to play themselves out here in the tussle for the piece of the cake of the R10 billion.”
He noted that allegations levelled at SITA over the years include tender irregularities, procurement loopholes, “unholy” relationship between senior management and external entities; mismanagement of procurement processes; criminal activities by SITA staff members; favouritism of specific companies; poor document management practices; and SITA being prone to external influences.
What corruption?
The research conducted by SITA was carried out in two phases. Phase one involved desktop research and analysis of newspaper articles and media reports. The second phase involved an analysis of SITA's internal corruption through fraud cases and statistical data.
The findings indicated that, for the 2008/9 financial year, a total of 32 disciplinary actions were initiated against various employees. Seventy-three complaints were received for the year in question, with suspected procurement irregularities and other irregularities. Over 230 cases were reported since 2004.
Mthimunye said the audit revealed the agency was dealing with incorrect perceptions and high cases of allegations.
“The notion has been created that where corruption is alleged, the ICT industry is the innocent victim. The notion has been created that where corruption is alleged, government officials are not at all involved. ICT industry players are more knowledgeable about what happens within SITA than most SITA officials.”
Blame game
While Mthimunye stated the ICT industry should also be blamed for corruption at the agency, audience responses at the conference revealed that tender processes were not trustworthy.
“The ICT industry has been playing victim for too long. When somebody knows there have been shenanigans around a bid and they know who is the benefactor of the shenanigan, they simply point fingers at SITA. That is disingenuous,” he said.
When Mthimunye posed questions to the audience asking if government officials in IT procurement could be corrupt and if they thought there were links between SITA acquisitions and corruption - the majority of respondents stated yes.
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