Dear Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services,

In 2013, then Minister of Justice, Jeff Radebe, made available a list of names of 42 people convicted of fraud and corruption pertaining to government departments. Minister Radebe said that this stance was initiated to ensure that criminals in our society will be made known and held accountable for their actions publicly. Another rationale for doing so was to ensure that convicted fraudsters do not move from the employ of one government department to another.

It was also outlined at the time that a list of over 3 000 convicted individuals would be released later and that on the list are the names and identity numbers of many government employees and private individuals who defrauded departments, institutions and municipalities.

In the interests of promoting a culture of respect for the rule of law in both the public and private sector in South Africa, could the Portfolio Committee on Justice and Correctional Services please request that such data be made available to the public and to government departments on an ongoing basis. Could the committee please contemplate the monitoring required to ensure that people convicted of fraud and corruption are not being employed in the public sector and particularly not in positions that provide them with authority relating to decisions about public resources.

Many thanks for your consideration.