Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure and Head of the Special Investigating Unit, to sign Anti-Corruption Pledge with Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum Members

In May 2021, The Infrastructure Built Anti-Corruption Forum (IBACF) was launched bringing together stakeholders together to foster collaboration amongst the key role players such as law enforcement agencies, construction sector regulators, civil society, government departments and private sector to monitor infrastructure projects more effectively and put systems in place to detect and prevent corruption.

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) together with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) brought various private and public sector representatives on board who have agreed to serve on the forum, which has met several times since the forum’s launch in May 2021.

This strategic intervention was made to mitigate the threat of corruption in the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment Plan approved by Cabinet in May 2020.

In order to regain confidence of investors and society, Minister de Lille articulated at the launch of the IBACF that it was vitally important that effective systems are put in place to detect and prevent corruption, which will bring greater level of transparency and credibility in the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment Plan.

Apart from the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) and the SIU, the IBACF consists of representatives from the following organisations:

1. The National Prosecuting Authority,

2. The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (The Hawks)

3. The Financial Intelligence Centre,

4. Corruption Watch,

5. The Council for the Built Environment,

6. Master Builders South Africa,

7. South African Council for the Architectural Profession (SACAP),

8. Consulting Engineers South Africa (CESA),

9. South African Black Technical & Allied Careers Organisation (multi-disciplinary) (SABTACO),

10. South African Bureau of Standards,

11. Business Unity South Africa (BUSA)

12. The Human Sciences Research Council.

The forum has oversight of investigations and sees various agencies working together to investigate any reported and alleged corruption so that we enhance accountability in the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment Plan’s projects.

In line with the commitment for members of the IBACF to sign an Anti-Corruption Pledge, Minister de Lille and Chairperson of the IBACF, Advocate Andy Mothibi will host a press briefing where they, together with members of the IBACF, will sign the IBACF Anti-Corruption Pledge.

The Pledge has been aligned to the terms of the reference of the Forum and the National Anti-Corruption Strategy. The IBACF Anti-Corruption Pledge objective seeks to get commitment from the infrastructure and/or construction industry role players that they will maintain good integrity and ethical standards.

Source: Government of South Africa