Laptops snatched from govt auditor

Wednesday, 17 April 2013 00:00 Written by Nicola Mawson
The auditor-general (AG) has become the victim of theft at several of its provincial offices, with the latest being the recent theft of laptops worth millions of rands.

The AG says 464 new laptop computers, valued at R5.1 million, were stolen from its Pretoria headquarters, and the theft was reported when the crime was noticed, about two weeks ago. In the past three months, the AG has experienced a series of breakins at its offices in the North West, Mpumalanga and Gauteng, where valuable assets, including computers, were stolen, it says.

The latest theft of notebooks, which were stored in a secure storage area, was followed by a police investigation, which led to the arrest of two junior employees based at head offi ce, who dealt with computer dispatching for the organisation.

Although the AG would not comment in detail on this matter, as investigations are under way, it notes the office, as a supporter of ethical conduct and good corporate governance, expects and encourages its employees to lead by example at all times.

“Employees are required to conduct themselves in a manner that will enable the organisation to continue to set an example to those it audits and South African taxpayers in general.”