Social Assistance Act, 2004 (Act No. 13 of 2004)Chapter 4 : Inspectorate for Social Assistance27. Functions of Inspectorate |
| (1) | The Inspectorate must— |
| (a) | conduct investigations; to ensure the maintenance of the integrity of the social assistance frameworks and systems; |
| (b) | execute internal financial audits and audits on compliance by the Agency with regulatory and policy measures and instruments; |
| (c) | investigate fraud, corruption and other forms of financial and service mismanagement and criminal activity, within the Agency and in connection with its functions, duties and operations; |
| (d) | establish a complaints mechanism; and |
| (e) | in general, do everything necessary to combat the abuse of social assistance. |
| (2) | The Inspectorate may— |
| (a) | of its own accord or upon receipt of a complaint, investigate any alleged contravention of this Act by any person, and may, where appropriate, refer such investigation to the South African Police Service, the Agency or the Inspectorate of Special Operations established by section 7(1)(a) of the National Prosecuting Authority Act, 1998 (Act No. 32 of 1998), or any other organ of state established by law which has the appropriate powers to investigate and act on any alleged contravention of this Act; and |
| (b) | investigate any matter in respect of social assistance referred to the it by the Minister, the Director-General of the Department or the Chief Executive Officer of the Agency. |
| (3) | The Minister must, in consultation with the Executive Director, in writing, authorise those employees of the Inspectorate appointed as inspectors to perform the functions contemplated in subsections (1) and (2) and to exercise the powers contemplated in section 28. |
| (4) | The Minister must, subject to this Act and all other applicable law by notice in the Gazette, prescribe procedures regarding the protection of the identity and integrity of a complainant or other source of information. |