Durban Municipality Ombudsperson takes on Police Internal Investigation Duties

Statement by Dr. Michael Sutcliffe, City Manager: eThekwini Municipality:

At a meeting with senior management of Metro Police on Tuesday 10 July 2007, I conveyed a decision that I had taken that in future all internal investigations within Metro Police and Loss Control will be undertaken under the overall direction of the Office of the Ombudsperson and Head: Investigations.

The reason for this is to ensure good governance and ensure that Units are not themselves the ones who investigate matters concerning fraud, corruption and maladministration which have allegedly been conducted in their own units.

In the case of Internal Audit, previously residing in and reporting to the Head: Treasury, for example, I re-located them as a separate and independent Unit. This ensures and is seen to allow for better governance.

It is therefore not true that the Internal Affairs Unit has been closed down. All cases will now be dealt with and reported through the Office of the Ombudsperson. According to information provided to me, the Metro Police Internal Affairs Unit had 129 of the cases set aside for disciplinary action. Of the 129 cases 36 cases were related to fraud, corruption and or dishonesty. The other cases were related to misconduct, damage to council vehicles, AWOL and so forth.

The Office of the Ombudsperson and Head: Investigations deals with fraud, maladministration and corruption. All matters requiring administrative action are chanelled via this office to Head of Units who are expected to follow through on them. These matters are usually around service delivery inefficiencies, ineffectiveness and poor use of resources.

All matters which do not require simply administrative intervention and action are then addressed directly by the Office of the Ombudsperson and Head: Investigations. Upon completion of their work, recommendations are made which could result in criminal, civil or disciplinary charges being laid.

I would like to encourage members of the public to report all matters of maladministration, fraud and corruption to the Office of the Ombudsperson and Head: Investigation.

We utilize the services of Whisteblowers at the toll free number of 0800202020, the direct line is 031 3114002 and the fax is 031 3114115. Their physical offices are located at 41 Margaret Mncadi Ave, Durban 4001.