Has Tokyo Sexwale unleashed the biggest crime hunt in domestic history?

JOHANNESBURG - Sometimes noisy headlines miss the bigger picture; worse, when "fraud" has become as commonplace in a country as sparrows strangling out twitters in the morning, the bigger picture can sink to the insignificant. Time will tell if

thousands of human vermin feeding off South Africa's housing challenges can be hunted down. The opposition is monumental . . . there are vested interests in every direction; these vermin are the size of bull elephants.

Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale this week shrugged off a trade union's call for his personal assets to be "nationalised", and remained focused on re-launching, with further detail, a war against corrupt private sector housing contractors, along with connected public servants, lawyers and estate agents. There are, of course, countless innocents among this bunching, but the targeted reprobates are also in very good numbers, responsible for monumental corruption, fraud and backlogs in delivering houses to South Africa's underprivileged.

Amid the stench, the housing audit is being led by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), a division of the National Prosecuting Authority, and supported by the Auditor-General's office, plus all provincial government departments, Parliament's standing committee on public accounts, and the portfolio committee on human settlements. That is the combined war machine, but is it big enough, and does it have the resolve to face up to the savage ugliness that stolen billons always manages to build?

Make no mistake, billions of rands are at stake. Speaking at a media briefing on Monday, Sexwale noted that while government had built around 2.8m so-called RDP houses (accommodating some 13m people) since 1994, informal settlements continue to proliferate. That is only one issue. The audit is dealing with lots of foul things: nepotism in government departments, sloppy construction work, thousands of houses in tatters and ruins, and the persistent awarding of government contracts to the same twisted packs of stinky contractors.

Sexwale, who has had a long and interesting career in politics, and a shorter and equally interesting one in business, smashed the gong: "We can assure those who are involved in dodgy deals that there will be no place to hide. We are dealing with public money. Heads are going to roll. There are rotten people who have taken advantage of the public sector, and that way public finances get squandered".

Housing delivery is a quagmire crawling with swamp rats and other vermin: fraud, corruption, absentee contractors, unfinished ‘ghost' houses, and corruption related to housing waiting lists. The SIU has already whet its appetite in the area, having spent the past few years recovering around R20m from hundreds of public servants who simply stole housing subsidies, month after month, subsidies destined for the poor. To date, 772 public servants have been charged, and 554 convicted. More than 1 600 acknowledgments of debt have been signed.

The latest initiative taken by Sexwale reinforces initiatives outlined in his budget speech commitment, made in June this year, where an agreement was signed by his (new) ministry with the SIU, mandating the SIU to investigate fraud, corruption and maladministration in low-income housing contracts.

At this point, Sexwale's national fact-finding mission is incomplete, but he has so far tagged around 3 000 RDP houses that have to be demolished, and rebuilt at a cost of R800m. For a start, how much of that R800m will be recovered from the criminals involved?

Write to Barry Sergeant: barry@moneyweb.co.za

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Ag Please Guess what Max Sisulu lives 100m from two W**** houses, the pharmacy he shops at ,sells drugs. And yes its an up market area If all that is going on, so close to the where the speaker of parliament lives, how do this bunch of plonkers expect to . .more stop corruption in the housing market. . .less by The Joker on November 04 2009, 07:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Name and shame the basturds and then put them in jail..... and confiscate all their ill gotten gains. by Tok on November 04 2009, 08:06 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Not only RDP. The quality is also poor in some private sector construction. The NHBRC is useless in my experience. by SJ on November 04 2009, 08:30 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Ja Well, No Fine Its all just hot air. Sexwale will talk and talk but I bet not a single high profile scumbag will be prosecuted - let alone named. This is just advertising copy. by Urak on November 04 2009, 08:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

it's too late Mr Sergeant is quite correct when he says there are vested interests in every direction. Unfortunately the sheer inertia, laziness, greed and venal grubbiness of ANC politicians has allowed SA to progress so far down the Nigeria route that . .more there really is no turning back. Sexwale and others like him ( Zuma-- I will root out corruptuion!! hahah) can go on as much as they like--- they allowed the system to get where it is and the whole infrastructure has become so corrupted that it requires a person of the calibre of he who cleaned the Augean stables to sort it out. Who is this character? Sexwale? Don't make me laugh Zuma? Now I am chortling. Mantashe ? silly little boy cannot say boo to a goose. The ANC has no-one with credibility and if there was then the rest of the piggies would probably "eliminate" him like they wish to eliminate Jansen of OFS University or Kader Asmal who as we all know is a raving lunatic. Systemic despoilation is Africa's modus operandi. . .less by Plutarch on November 04 2009, 08:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Is it all a farce? Sexwale was the Premier of Gauteng with Lindiwe Sisulu MEC of housing, consequently the corruption and nepotism all started under his and her watch. Will they be held accountable, I guess not for the current modus operandi with the approval of . .more Sexwale is to keep corrupt officials employed whilst deducting their acknowledged debt. What a bargain, you get caught with your fingers in the till and then pay back your debt over 50 years. Remember the ANC fired most of the competent civil servants, or made life so unbearable that severance packages were snapped up after which their cadres could wheel and deal as they pleases to the detriment of the taxpaying citizens as a whole. Why are the corrupt officials not sentenced to a jail term? I guess because the superiors all have a cut in the deal and someone lower down has to take the fall in a diluted way! . .less by Zorba on November 04 2009, 08:54 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Recover,--Puleezz More chance of falling pregnant than recovering the stolen dough.- What's an acknowledgemet of debt worth in this joint anyway. Its the 'bietjie-bietjie' syndromme,- Elke een steel so 'bietjie -bietjie' oor 'n lang tyd en teen die tyd wat jy die K** . .more uit jou oog vee is alles en almal verrrr weg. My concern is where is the new dough for the replcement houses going to come from ? -Same place as the S.A.B.C.'s proposal I suppose. . .less by Pioneer on November 04 2009, 08:56 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Give Sexwale a chance Yes he does have to prove that he can walk the talk, but he is more competent than most of his inept cabinet collegues (and he can afford his own Beemer), so he just might make a difference. For the country's skae, I hope so. by Meritocrat on November 04 2009, 09:03 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Do something tangible, Mr Minister The biggest culprits are the developers who, if not long gone, will hide behind the corporate veil. What can one get out of a cc? Surely the SIU would have told the Dept that it is not worth pursuing the developers. Rather spend the money improving . .more existing RDP homes and implementing proper monitoring mechanisms. . .less by babs on November 04 2009, 09:17 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Sergeant sensationalising a good story once again The title of the story is positive but the story itself is full of normal winging garbage that the racist oppressors have found solace in. I doubt if these wingers understand what democracy mean but to them a black person cannot use his . .more brains but is good for being fed urine and dog food and stay oppressed. . .less by Jojo on November 04 2009, 09:28 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Talk talk talk, but then Tokyo wants to become Preseident oneday! It will be easier just blaming the apartheid regime for the lack of housing delivery, at least the masses will understand that by Piet on November 04 2009, 09:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A lot of good in all this We should not minimise the happiness generated by 2,8m RDP houses occupied by 13m people, who lacked a roof, electricity, water and water-borne sewerage before. It's a huge achievement. Gov't chose to use inexperienced black builders rather than . .more mega construction groups, thereby spreading the joy but also maximising opportunity for thieves. Get some perspective you naysayers. . .less by Newton on November 04 2009, 09:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Housing Article contains lots of emotive language. Little real content. Quality content with a touch of flambuoyance (?) is great. Not so good in the converse. Apart from the political grandstanding little will come of this. SA needs more . .more action / implementation. Less rhetoric, planning sessions, strategy plans etc . .less by Charlie Chaplin on November 04 2009, 10:01 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

This amounts to thieving from the poor Remember that song, "everyone wants to rule the world". Yeah...its the turn of the ANC. When the previous regime ensured that every white person had a job, house etc, who cried wolf? No one really, because one was arrested and sent to Robin Island. . .more Now, at least it is done in the open for the public to comment. Furthermore, these building contractors etc must be fronts properly connected to get the tender, earned their dollar , with a view of a high return and low quality, and now probably living in New Zealand or Austrialia. Also the failure comes with the skills shortage which the previous regime carefully and mindfully kept among the oppressors at the time. What you see today is the result of all those actions. Whilst this is being said the poor are the ultimate victims of this thuggery. Obviously one can see this as a cycle of greed, its in front of you, lets make a grab and enrich ourselves. Remember when we point a finger, one faces forward and three points back. . .less by Tears for Fear on November 04 2009, 10:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Tokyo and Housing ......... Unfortunately Tokyo is talking like a (SA polititian). Corruption emanates from the top. If Jacob sets the example - and has got away with it, nil will happen to ALL the corrupt ANC cadres. This Country cannot afford this " shrinkage"and . .more is on a fast track to the toilet. As a S A I have every right to say (unfortunately) that! . .less by Taffy Dee on November 04 2009, 10:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

I agree lets start with Sexwale and Sisulu first, then invistigate Public works. The minister of housing has now been introduced on how a PTY LTD is supposed to be managed. I hope the settlement department turns to just that. but I agree with one of my Collegeaus above who says Sisulu was the MEC for housing and He (Sexwale) was . .more the Premier at the time. both need to be Invisitagated on how the then contracts were given and to ensure that none of them had nothing to do with the failure of our housing in Gauteng alone, before we can even invisitgate other contractors. I also agree to the fact that NHBRC is a futile Organ. I also think the department of public works failed the people of this country, currently the ICDB (Industry contraction development board) which is part of Public works , is responsible for registering builders from grade 1 building to grade 9 which Include everything you can think of when it comes to contraction work but it has failed us as well. I think we also need to look at the value which this board has for us. . .less by Lopez on November 04 2009, 10:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Walkie Talkie to Toyko He couldn't sort the rot out in Gauteng. LIndiwe Sisulu couldn't get it right as Minister of Housing before Tokyo. What can we hope for this is just all hot air just like his escapade of staying in a shack overnight. Got to keep his profile out . .more there somehow until his term is up so what better way than to look over his glasses rim and look threatening Go you doring . .less by gcr on November 04 2009, 10:22 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@Jojo So whats your point! I wish company's would take more care who they allow to use the internet. Hopefully this fools comments will not once again cause all the other crazies to come out of their holes. by Albie on November 04 2009, 10:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Relax guys, you can't do a thing about it. The builders are a buch of thugs in cahoots with the ANC "cadres" (pathetic term anyway). And the populace multiplies like rabbits, so no housing program can keep up anyway. Drink beer and watch rugby, you will feel much better about it. by Dave on November 04 2009, 10:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Nothing will happen, all smoke and K** Please Yokyo, you and your mates are all in the same bed and now you want to try and hang them? Good luck chum, hope your cash is well stashed buga by boet on November 04 2009, 11:07 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Not only RDP houses. What about the roads and bridges? The dams. The stadiums. All reflect signs of shoddy SA workmanship and are not build to last. The houses built under apartheid in the townships arethe ones that are still standing and the most sought after because of the durable materials used and the construction . .more processes. . .less by Piet on November 04 2009, 11:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Simple solutions (1) Stop the millions of African immigrants coming over the border everyday and build houses for our own people (2) If big construction companies like Murray&Roberts etc got those contracts then I am sure at least 5.6m houses would have been built . .more in stead of the 2.8m RDP houses since 1994. BUT "NO" you can't let white business get a cent and it must spread around. How many millions would now have to be spent on investigations , police etc to clean up this mess?? Pathetic to say the least. . .less by R2D2 on November 04 2009, 11:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

solution What we need is a comprehensive and definite way of identifying people - brand them, tattoo them or insert micro chips into their skulls at birth. Once you have done that you can simply pay them a once off housing grant at age 21. If they choose not . .more to use that money for housing then so be it - they dont get a second chance and they will forever live in squalor. Give them double if they accept sterilization at the same time.Give them triple if they are graduates. Government should merely supply the cash - let the people house themselves in whatever fashion they would like. They can determine the quality they want and negotiate with contractors themselves. Naturally they will still be protected by consumer laws which can be vigorously applied. Housing department should merely proclaim the new settlements and put in basic services and should have zip to do with contracting anyone to build actual houses. . .less by Maplotter on November 04 2009, 11:36 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@jojo buttie you, you ar justie toooo stewpide by Kenneth Kaunda on November 04 2009, 12:02 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Costing Is it our financial journo or the minister that can not calculate... 3000 RDP houses should cost between 120 million and 160 million. For 800 million one builds 3000 credit linked houses at 220-270k each. by Onestein on November 04 2009, 12:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Please tell me wich other country in the world .... give houses away! To my knowledge there is no other country which gives houses away for free. Africa should not be an exception, because as you see this does lead to corruption, not just at the coal face but of officials and holders of public . .more office. Ever wondered who has a finger, sorry an arm and a leg in the Toll Road business, you don't have to look further than the ex-Minister of Transport and Public Works along with nearly every member of his family! . .less by Compadre on November 04 2009, 13:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Tokyo for police The hijackers of his family were quickly bought to justice. Not many victims of crime experience this satisfaction. Should Comrade Tokyo not be redeployed as minister of police? by bonginkosi on November 04 2009, 13:14 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ Onestein Good point.- Can't believe Barry would make such a mistake. Plutarch, as always sums it all up perfectly. Jo-Jo, as usual, proves beyond all doubt that it'll take millions of years....(if ever). by Voortrekker on November 04 2009, 13:40 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@ JOJO Uhhh who mentioned black people? There are also some whites involved but if you can pick up the subtlety of what Barry was saying I think your little money grabbing sphyincta would start contracting. Your ranting about "ANC here to stay" and BEE being right etc etc is coming to an . .more end. The masses are getting tired of the pigs eating at the trough and stealing their food. Redistribution is 100% right but why should Patrice and Tokoyo get all the slop? So mate I'm guessing your sitting in Investec or RMB waiting for a chance to grab at a BEE deal but its too late mate the money is going to the masses who YOU like the Apartheid whites like me exploited. Sorry bruddu you're going to have to work for it like us from now on. hahahahahahaha Loser . .less by Senhor on November 04 2009, 14:32 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Rich leaders are good Like rich leaders who knows their pocket, they wont stole they will fix and bring a good image to the country. by The boss on November 04 2009, 15:42 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

toyko Toyko is already stepping on corrupt ANC cadre toes, that is why their mates in the unions want to nationalise Toyko's wealth....rotten to the core the ANC is, rotten to the CORe !!! by BobHopes on November 04 2009, 16:20 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

It doesn't matter in the end 1. How many INCOME tax payers exist. 2. Deduct the number of Government employees from 1, above who are paid by non Government employees. 3. How many non INCOME tax people will require free housing in 10 years time. 4. How many persons . .more in point 1. will still remain in SA in 10 years. Currently most of the people in point 1. that I know have sent their children overseas. When it reaches the stage that 1 TRUE Income tax payer must support hundreds then the Fat Lady will sing . .less by ken on November 04 2009, 16:31 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

There you go Tokyo Bopha Tokyo Bopha. We are tired of govt officials playing javeline. We have been recommending ideas to stop this problem. No wonder we were never even let in the door it was against their interests. Focus on Kzn Housing. by Gambu on November 04 2009, 16:33 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Give him a chance But don't get your hopes up... by Johnny V on November 04 2009, 16:46 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pure political theater Its intended to entertain the masses so they believe that their problems are being addressed. They are not. Its all part of the Mbekeite acolyte cleansing campaign to get rid of the last few stragglers and replace them with the new and improved . .more on-side loyal cadres that are all lined up and ready to deploy into well-paid positions. . .less by Tuscanite on November 04 2009, 17:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Tokyo Sexwale is a douchebag Oh I know! We need a Directive of Special Operations to deal with these kind of things that is independent from the government. This because the government is in cohoots with the corrupt ones and Tokyou procured quite a sizeable bargain for his own . .more property scams in the Cape when it was still under the terrorists aka ANC. Let's start an independent investigative body to take care of corruption. One with a 90% success rate that is not hampered by corrupt police commissioners. What a rouse. If they really wanted to catch the culprits, they wouldn't have released Shaik or disbanded the Scorpions . .less by Gargunzola on November 04 2009, 18:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

@onestein Yes a rather nice little sum of money for the houses to be re-built. Maybe add in a giant fireplace, underfloor heating, some Italian marble and a jacuzzi for a weekend party! by Doorknob on November 04 2009, 18:41 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

All talk! Nothing will happen! If there is ANY activity on those within the next year eye will eat my jockstrap by Munch on November 05 2009, 11:47 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

All Talk from everybody around - from politicians and government to the tax payer funding the squandering of these moneys - the bottom line is we complain but we do NOTHING to withhold our taxes. by MarioBros on November 05 2009, 14:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The Herald - Award-winning house system snubbed locally AN EASTERN Cape company, moladi, has won a top African award for its super-fast house-building system and has just signed a deal with India. But its chief executive says despite exports to several developing countries, the provincial government has . .more yet to recognise the value of this innovative system. http://www.theherald.co.za/business/article.aspx?id=503649 . .less by moladi on December 14 2009, 08:16 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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