THE Public Works Department has a 10% “leakage” of funds because of possible fraudulent activities, acting director-general Sivi Gounden said on Monday. Gounden announced that steps are being taken to root out fraud in the department as he revealed the figure at a news conference in Durban. At least one official has been suspended and several are under investigation. Public Works Minister Stella Sigcau said the unit is working on recovering losses, adding that companies suspected of fraudulent activities will be blacklisted and some contracts have already been suspended pending further investigation.