Geoffrey Tocknell, who was the head of corporate and consular services at SA’s mission in Burkina Faso, has been charged with 29 counts of fraud and mismanaging state funds.
THE Department of International Relations and Co-operation has fired a high-ranking South African diplomat for alleged fraud amounting to R1,2m, it was learnt yesterday.
This comes amid revelations that the department is in the middle of a forensic audit over allegations of nepotism and maladministration.
Acting on the request of the department’s staff belonging to the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu), international relations also hired two consultants on contract at a cost of R380000 to investigate the fraud allegations, according to a statement in its 2010-11 annual report. The probe has yet to be completed.
Two years ago, Nehawu members lodged a petition for the removal of Ayanda Ntsaluba as director-general of the department. The union accused him of tender irregularities, fraud and favouritism.
Mr Ntsaluba terminated his contract in March, 16 months before it was due to end, to join medical aid firm Discovery Holdings as an executive director.
Geoffrey Tocknell, who was the head of corporate and consular services at SA’s mission in Burkina Faso, has been charged with 29 counts of fraud and mismanaging state funds. A head of corporate services acts as the chief financial accounting officer at a diplomatic mission.
Mr Tocknell was found guilty on 27 counts after an eight-month forensic investigation which included a formal hearing and the opportunity to appeal against his sentence, a senior official said yesterday.
The official, who asked to remain anonymous, said Mr Tocknell had unsuccessfully lodged an appeal but the presiding officer, after a “thorough analysis of the charges”, dismissed his application. Attempts to get comment from Mr Tocknell were unsuccessful.
International relations and co-operation spokesman Clayson Monyela confirmed the allegations and findings against Mr Tocknell.
Mr Monyela said the case has now been referred to the state law adviser to proceed with the “legal process” of recovering the funds from the official. He said this may involve pursuing criminal charges.
SA has 124 missions around the world and plans to establish an office in almost every country in Africa.
“Our actions show that this administration is intolerant of corruption and fraud within our ranks,” Mr Monyela said.
“This sanction should serve as a lesson and deterrent to any of our officials to refrain from engaging in illegal and nefarious activities.”
In an unrelated incident, another South African diplomat, based in Lusaka, Zambia, was found guilty of misusing $2100, according to the department’s annual report.
Mr Monyela said he needed more time to establish the facts on the incident before commenting.
Original article: http://www.businessday.co.za