Johannesburg - Public Works Minister Thulas Nxesi has
admitted there are serious problems of mismanagement in the department,
according to a report on Friday.
The department has been rocked with allegations of
corruption and fraud, particularly relating to the leases of new police
headquarters worth R1.6bn.
"We have created a mess," Nxesi said at meeting
with department staff in Durban on Thursday, according to a report in The Times
newspaper.
"There are a lot of shenanigans. All big tenders have a
problem. It's a fact that there are serious problems in the department...
officials disregarding supply chain management procedures and accepting gifts
such as cars."
Nxesi said each week a new scandal around leases and
construction emerged and some people acted as if they belonged to the
department.
"They do shoddy work but know they will get tenders
without following procedures."
At least 4 000 leases would be reviewed, Nxesi said.