South Africa's Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition, Parks Tau, has ordered a full independent investigation into the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) following allegations of corruption, governance failures, and other irregularities. The investigation was prompted by whistleblower claims since August 2024, which the SABS has denied. Recent incidents, including the loss of accreditation for cement laboratories and a ransomware attack, have further fueled calls for scrutiny. The investigation will encompass all allegations, including those received on Monday. Acting SABS board chair Ron Josias expressed support for the probe, hoping it will provide recommendations for the organization's future.
Follows whistleblower claims the dtic has received since August last year.Minister of Trade, Industry and Competition Parks Tau has decided to launch a “deep dive” independent investigation into allegations of corruption, governance failures, recruitment irregularities and other issues at the South African Bureau of Standards .
Acting SABS board chair Ron Josias confirmed receiving a letter from Tau on Monday advising him that a full investigation will be launched. Makele confirmed there have been instances where SABS employees were taken through a disciplinary process for various transgressions, including gross negligence resulting in loss of revenue and reputational damage.
Makele said the SABS was initially given a period of three months to put remedial actions in place but has been granted an extension until April 2025 for the re-assessment because of the recent ransomware attack incident. This means laboratory services are doing their work, certification audits are continuing, training and accreditation is happening, and salaries are being paid and there “is no month where salaries were not paid to employees”.African Christian Democratic Party MP Wayne Thring said many of the allegations that have been presented are serious and damning allegations and he hopes they are not true.
“The cyber attack has resulted in an extension by Sanas to SABS to make the necessary adjustments but what processes are in place to ensure that the quality of cement that is being put out in South Africa will not compromise buildings and structures that are being developed?” he asked.The DA’s Toby Chance said he is happy that “after seven months of dithering” there now seems to have been some action and he is very keen to see the outcome of the investigation report as soon as possible.
SOUTH AFRICA CORRUPTION INVESTIGATION STANDARDS SABS WHISTLEBLOWERS CYBERSECURITY RANSOMWARE
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