Nkomazi Local Municipality 20 - Co-operative Governance and ...

11.4. MANAGEMENT AND OPERATION SYSTEMSThe municipality has identified a need to establish a centralised customer care centre which will deal with customer related queriesand complaints in a formalised manner. It should be noted that this centre will not be fully established in the next financial year(2012/2013) due to financial constraints. The municipality has however budgeted for 12 complaint management boxes. These boxeswill be installed in all municipal offices and the community at large will be encouraged to submit their suggestions and complaints.The received inputs or complaints will be sent to the office of the Municipal Manager for further consideration.11.4.1. Fraud prevention policyThis policy is intended to set down NKLM’s stance to fraud and corruption and to reinforce existing systems, policies and proceduresaimed at deterring, preventing, detecting, reacting to and reducing the impact of fraud and corruption. Furthermore, the purpose ofthis document is to confirm that NKLM supports and fosters a culture of zero tolerance to fraud and corruption in all its activities.11.4.2. Scope of the policyThis policy applies to all allegations, attempts and incidents of fraud and corruption impacting or having the potential to impactNKLM. All employees and management of NKLM must comply with the spirit and content of the Policy.11.4.3. Fraud prevention planGiven the nature of NKLM’s mandate, the municipality must execute its responsibilities with integrity especially in its interaction withits employees, ratepayers, the public, suppliers, and partners and in the management of its resources. The Plan is premised on theorganisation’s core ethical values driving the business of NKLM, the development of its systems, policies and procedures, interactionswith ratepayers, the public and other stakeholders, and even decision-making by individual managers representing the organisation.This means that in practice all NKLM”s departments and other business units and even external stakeholders must be guided by thePlan as the point of reference for their conduct in relation of NKLM.In addition to promoting ethical conduct within NKLM, the Plan is also intended to assist in preventing, detecting, investigating andsanctioning fraud and corruption. This dynamic document details the steps, which will be continually taken by NKLM to promoteethical conduct and address fraud and corruption. The Plan takes into account the risks of fraud and corruption as identified inbusiness risk assessments initiated by NKLM and the outcome of interviews held with NKLM’s senior management. The Planaddresses strategic fraud and corruption risks that must be addressed and which could jeopardise the successful implementation ofeach component of the Plan.11.4.4. Whistle blowing policyNKLM recognises the fact that- Unethical conduct, fraud and corruption within NKLM is detrimental to good, effective, accountable and transparentgovernance and can endanger the economic stability of the municipality and have the potential to cause social damage; There is a need for procedures in terms of which employees and the public at large may, without fear of reprisals, discloseinformation relating to suspected or alleged unethical conduct, fraud and corruption affecting NKLM; Every employer and employee has a responsibility to disclose unethical conduct, fraud and corruption in the workplace;and Every employer has a responsibility to take all necessary steps to ensure that employees and members of the public whodisclose such information are protected from any reprisals as a result of such disclosure.11.4.4.1. Objectives of the policyThe Protected Disclosure Act 26 of 2000 came into effect on 16 February 2001. In order to remain in compliance with the Act, NKLMwill- Strive to create a culture which will facilitate the disclosure of information by employees and members of the publicrelating to unethical conduct, fraud and corruption in the workplace in a responsible manner by providing clear guidelinesfor the disclosure of such information and protection against reprisals as a result of such disclosure; and Promote the eradication of unethical conduct, fraud and corruption within NKLM.The Policy is intended to encourage and enable employees and the public at large to raise concerns within NKLM rather thanoverlooking a problem or blowing the whistle to inappropriate channels.Furthermore the policy aims to- Provide avenues for employees and members of the public to raise concerns and receive feedback on any action taken;NKLM Integrated Development Plan 2012_2013 71