first reported in July that the panel would be tasked with investigating suspected code of ethics breaches, maladministration, financial mismanagement and employee grievances within the public sector.
At the time, the government said the panel would only conduct inquiries into matters that are deemed too minor to warrant the attention of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) or other integrity agency, but serious enough to require external scrutiny.
“The panel was appointed in February this year and its services were made available to agencies last month (March 15),” Ranieri’s spokesperson said.
“One agency is currently using the panel for an investigation.
“The panel remains a nonxjmtzyw-mandatory option for SA public sector agencies.”
Asked how much taxpayer money had so far been spent on the investigation, the spokesperson said Ranieri’s office “will not collect this information”.
