Anti-Fraud and Corruption Awareness Campaign at George Municipality
Standing from left to right are Mr E Ndou (COGTA), Mr E Chauke (SALGA), Cllr Renicia Willemse (Bitou Municipality), Executive Mayor of Knysna Municipality Thando Matika, Cllr Nadia Krige (Mossel Bay Municipality) and Executive Mayor of Oudtshoorn Municipality Ald Johan Allers.
Seated from left to right are Mr M Leaser(Provincial Head of SIU), Brigadier MF Ramahove (Acting Provincial Head- Hawks), George Executive Mayor Jackie von Brandis, Major General Cetyana (Garden Route District Commissioner) and Executive Mayor of Bitou Municipality Jessica Kamkam.
George Municipality is proud to have hosted the Provincial Anti-Fraud and Corruption Awareness Campaign, presented by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI – The Hawks), in partnership with the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the South African Local Government Association (SALGA), the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), and the Office of the Executive Mayor.
The two-day workshop, held at the George City Hall on 28 and 29 July 2025, was the first of its kind in the Garden Route and aimed to strengthen awareness among municipal councillors and officials about the dangers, impact, and consequences of corruption in local government.
The sessions were designed to increase awareness and reinforce the municipality’s commitment to integrity and ethical governance. Presenters shared valuable insights into how fraud and corruption manifest, drawing from real-life case studies to provide practical context. Key topics included the definitions of fraud and corruption, early warning signs, reporting procedures, and the legal protections available to whistle-blowers.
The DPCI emphasised that reducing financial losses, accelerating detection, protecting organisational reputation, and building public trust are central to any effective anti-fraud strategy. Presenters outlined various forms of misconduct such as bribery, misrepresentation, falsified invoices, inflated claims, and theft of municipal assets, and provided clear guidance on how to identify and prevent such activities.
A representative from COGTA highlighted the importance of cultivating an ethical culture within municipalities. This was linked to the recently adopted Code for Ethical Leadership, a framework approved by the George Municipal Council in January 2025. The Code promotes ethical conduct and accountability across all levels of municipal operations.
Ethical governance also extends to protecting municipal systems and data. In this regard, Brigadier Steynberg of the DPCI delivered a key presentation on cybercrime, highlighting the need for strong password protection, device security, and ongoing vigilance. He reminded attendees that scammers exploit human vulnerabilities—including fear, urgency, and trust—to commit fraud. Even well-informed individuals can fall victim, especially when under pressure or lacking digital literacy.
“This workshop demonstrates our commitment to ethical leadership within local government,” said Executive Mayor Alderman Jackie von Brandis. “The word ‘corruption’ has become far too common in public discourse, and it is through proactive engagements such as this that we strengthen our resolve to protect our institutions. By working hand-in-hand with law enforcement, we build a culture of clean, transparent, and accountable governance for all residents of George.”
George Municipality reiterates its zero-tolerance stance towards fraud and corruption and remains steadfast in upholding transparency, accountability, and ethical governance in service of the people of George.