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9 Mar 2012

Robin Carlisle, the MEC of Transport and Public Works in the Western Cape said he supported the call by Pieter Kotzé, the President of the Association of South African Quantity Surveyors to stamp out corruption in the construction industry.

MEC Carlisle and Mr Kotzé met at 11h00 today to discuss the importance of quantity surveyors acting with integrity.

‘I agree with Mr Kotzé that quantity surveyors are well-placed in construction projects to notice and report corrupt practices,’ MEC Carlisle said.

‘Whistle-blowers reporting corruption to the authorities in the Western Cape will be congratulated, and not condemned.

‘Our understanding that public sector construction is financed by taxpayers’ money, very often for the benefit of the poorest of the poor, is a guarantee to whistle-blowers that they will be protected at all costs,’ said M Carlisle.

President Kotzé said,‘The quantity surveyor is the pivot of the construction industry’s financial wheel. All dealings with financial implication must pass the quantity surveyor at some stage. He or she is therefore centrally placed to identify criminal dealings.’

He said ‘typical corrupt dealings’ included ‘the approval of new contracts at inflated rates, the approval of inferior materials, the variation instructions coming in at inflated rates, the existence of private jobs at the workplace, paying staff members for “favours” and many more.’

MEC Carlisle agreed, saying ‘there can be no tolerance for those that portray themselves as servants of the poor, while they are actually stealing from those in need.

‘My office is always open to any members of the construction industry wishing to help the Western Cape Government stamp out corruption.’

Media enquiries:
Steven Otter
Cell: 084 233 3811

Larry Feinberg
Executive Director
Cell: 082 322 8373

Issued by: Western Cape Transport and Public Works
9 Mar 2012

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