The SABC s fraud hotline is provided and managed externally by Whistle Blowers.

Transcription

1 SABC s Fraud Hotline Purpose The SABC introduces its dedicated fraud hotline to fight fraud and corruption by providing a platform to its stakeholders to anonymously report suspicions of fraud, theft, corruption and other misconducts such as violations of SABC policies and procedures, regulations and statutory compliance relating to the business of the SABC. The SABC s fraud hotline is provided and managed externally by Whistle Blowers. Whistle Blowers (Pty) Ltd is an independent subscription service, offering a 24/7 free call facility enabling employees or third parties to anonymously blow the whistle on irregularities within the subscribing company. Whistle Blowers is an accredited member of the Ethics Institute of South Africa and has a global footprint in over 25 countries. All calls made to the SABC s Whistles Blowers fraud line are screened by trained professionals and a comprehensive report is sent to the SABC s Forensic Audit unit for further investigation. SABC policy statement The SABC will not tolerate theft, fraud and corruption, maladministration or any other dishonest activities of a similar nature. Such activities will be investigated and actions instituted against those found responsible. Furthermore, actions may include the laying of criminal charges, civil and administrative actions and recoveries of losses suffered where applicable. Frequently Asked Questions Q. Does the SABC really want me to report? Yes, the SABC encourages all citizens as they may have knowledge of what is going on in the organisation - both good and bad. You may have initial knowledge of an activity that may be a cause for concern. Your reporting can minimise the potential negative impact on the organisation and its people. Also, offering positive input may help identify issues that can improve corporate culture and performance. Q. Why should I report what I know? We all have the right to work in a positive environment, and with that right comes the responsibility of acting in an ethical manner and letting the appropriate people know if someone is not acting

2 appropriately. By working together, we can maintain a healthy and productive environment. Corporate misconduct can threaten the livelihood of an entire company. Q. what happens after I made a call to Whistle Blowers? After you made a call to Whistle Blowers and gave sufficient answers on who, what, where, when how and why, they will compile a comprehensive report which is forwarded to the SABC Forensic Audit team for further investigation into the allegations. Upon completion of the forensic audit investigation, a report is then issued to senior management for action. These reports also go to the Board, Board subcommittees and the auditor general. Therefore there is no way that your matter will be swept under the carpet. Q. If I become aware of a violation, what should I do? You should use the SABC s Fraud hotline to anonymously report your observation or suspicion. First, the hotline ensures that your report gets to the appropriate people, who have broader experience in these matters, in a timely manner. More importantly, reports can be filed anonymously, if you so choose, and all report information is secure and held in the strictest confidence. Trained call centre consultants from Whistle Blowers will assist you to make sure that all detail / information is captured correctly. Q. I am aware of some individuals involved in unethical conduct, but it doesn't affect me. Why should I bother reporting it? All unethical conduct, at any level, ultimately hurts the company and all its employees. So if you know of any incidents of misconduct or ethical violations, you should consider it your duty as a citizen to report such misconduct to the SABC. Q. I am not sure what I have observed or heard is a violation of company policy, or involve unethical conduct, but it just does not look right to me. What should I do? File a report. Whistle Blowers can help you prepare and file your report so it can be properly understood. We'd rather you reported a situation that turned out to be harmless than let possible unethical behaviour go unchecked because you weren't sure.

3 Q. What if my boss or other managers are involved in a violation? Won t they get the report and possibly start a cover-up? The Whistle Blowers system and report distribution are designed so that no report is ever shared with any person who is implicated in the conduct, their peers or their subordinates. This will help to eliminate cover-ups by any implicated individual. Q. What if I remember something important about the incident after I filed the report? When you file a report via the toll-free Whistle Blowers number, you receive a unique reference number. You can return to the Whistle Blowers system again and add further information that will help resolve open issues or to get feedback on actions taken. Below are some of the most common issues that may be reported and the definitions thereof. Conflict of interest A conflict of interest is defined as a situation in which a person, such as a public official, an employee, or a professional, has a private or personal interest sufficient to appear to influence the objective exercise of his or her official duties. (Examples include: inappropriate vendor relations, bribery, misuse of confidential information, inappropriate customer relations) Falsification of contracts, reports or records Falsification of records consists of altering, fabricating, falsifying, or forging all or any part of a document, contract or record for the purpose of gaining an advantage, or misrepresenting the value of the document, contract or record. Misconduct or inappropriate behaviour

4 Intentional wrongdoing; specifically: deliberate violation of a law or policy. Fraud The unlawful, intentional making of a misrepresentation resulting in actual or potential prejudice to another. Corruption Directly or indirectly accepting or agreeing to accept any gratification from another person; giving or agreeing to give any other person any gratification in order to influence that person directly or indirectly to exercise his powers, duties or legal obligations Theft The unlawful and intentional misappropriation of another person s property or property which is in his/her lawful possession, with the intention to deprive the owner of its rights permanently. ACTIONS CONSTITUTING FRAUD, CORRUPTION AND THEFT Fraud, Corruption and Theft manifests in a number of ways and varying degrees of intensity. These include, but are not limited to: i. Any dishonest or fraudulent act; ii. Misappropriation of funds, supplies, or other assets; iii. Impropriety in the handling or reporting of money or financial transactions; iv. Profiteering as a result of insider knowledge of SABC s activities; v. Disclosing confidential and proprietary information to outside parties; vi. Disclosing to other person s securities activities engaged in or contemplated by the SABC; vii. Accepting or seeking anything of material value from contractors, vendors, or persons providing services / materials to the SABC; viii. Destruction, removal, or inappropriate use of records, furniture, fixtures, and equipment; ix. Private use of the SABC s assets, including vehicles; x. Falsifying subsistence and travel claims; xi. Conspiring with others to obtain a tender;

5 xii. Disclosing proprietary information relating to a tender to outside parties; xiii. Accepting inappropriate gifts from suppliers; xiv. Employing family members or close friends or associates without declaring the relationship; xv. Operating a private business during working hours; xvi. Stealing equipment, stock footage or supplies from work; xvii. Accepting bribes or favours to process requests; xviii. Accepting bribes, favours or turning a blind eye to a service provider who does not provide an appropriate service; xix. Submitting or processing false invoices from contractors or other service providers; xx. Misappropriating fees received from customers, and avoiding detection by not issuing receipts to those customers; xxi. Inappropriate airtime sales discounts; xxii. Any similar or related irregularity; xxiii. Form of favouritism which result in improper favouring of relatives and friends without following due process; and xxiv. Abuse of power. How to report You can report any irregularities to either of the following: Whistle Blowers Anonymous hotline: Or General Manger: Forensic Audit Fax: Or SABC Forensic Audit offices: Radio Park Building

6 11th Floor Room 1147 Telephone: / 2918 / 4964 PROTECTED DISCLOSURE In terms of the Protected Disclosures Act No 26 of 2000: Clause 6 Protected disclosure to employer (1) Any disclosure made in good faith (a) and substantially in accordance with any procedure prescribed, or authorized by the employee s employer for reporting or otherwise remedying the impropriety concerned; or (b) to the employer of the employee, where there is no procedure as contemplated in paragraph (a), is a protected disclosure. (2) Any employee who, in accordance with a procedure authorised by his or her employer, makes a disclosure to a person other than his or her employer, is deemed, for the purposes of this Act, to be making the disclosure to his or her employer