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Immediate and decisive action was taken by the SA Post Office Board of Directors when a routine internal audit conducted identified a number of top and senior managers abusing and defrauding the company's flexi-remuneration scheme, says Jay Naidoo, Minister for Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting.

Naidoo says external forensic auditors were called in once the problem had been identified and, subsequently, legal advise sought on the recommendations of the forensic auditors.

"I was fully briefed last week on this matter and support SAPOS acting managing director Max Maisela in his decision to bring charges against those found to have broken the law," Naidoo says.

"There are set procedures we have to follow in matters like this and I am satisfied that everything possible has been done to bring the managers involved to book.

I have said before, and I say it again, that I will not tolerate criminal activities in the Post Office, whether from workers or management, and anyone found guilty of criminal activities will have the full force of the law to deal with."

Naidoo says, in all, 104 managers had been investigated and charges were being finalised for an internal disciplinary hearing against seven managers who were found to have blatantly defrauded the company. Appropriate action will be taken against the other managers investigated.

Issued by Ministry for Posts, Telecommunications and Broadcasting, 10 May 1999

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