Six staff sidelined over theft

By JINA AMBA
SIX staff members from the Department of Justice and Attorney General (DJAG) were suspended last week after a vehicle was stolen few weeks ago.
Secretary Dr Eric Kwa told The National that while police were investigating the theft, the staff allegedly involved had been suspended from work.
“We referred four of them to the police and they were suspended. We identified about six and they were all suspended last week,” he said.
Dr Kwa said while the police process was going on, the department was also taking administrative measures as well.
He said those officers could tamper with evidence if they remained in office and were, therefore, suspended.
“The vehicle was stolen and the colour was changed, tinted, number plate changed, they were about to ship it out of Port Moresby and we caught them,” he said. “What kind of evidence will they give?
“We know the people who got the vehicle, it’s the tip of the iceberg for the public service, there is a lot of corruption going on in the public service.
“They were trying to steal their own vehicle, the vehicle was on tender, they should have bought it if they wanted the vehicle.”
Earlier, Justice Minister Bryan Kramer said his ministry was committed to fighting corruption and officers guilty of corrupting the system will be dealt with.
“We must change the department’s work culture,” he said.
“Official corruption undermines the efforts of government agencies to deliver services. We do not need white-collar criminals working for the State as they are a liability and a threat to good governance and service delivery.
“We want to send a strong message to our staff and those intending to join the department in the future that we do not tolerate corruption.”