The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has tabled a wide-ranging forensic report on corruption, fraud, nepotism and staff victimisation at the Jozini Municipality to its municipal council and urged it to take swift action against individuals fingered by the report.
“The long-awaited forensic report into allegations of tender irregularities, corruption and nepotism is now before the Jozini council and the ball is in its court. We expect nothing less than swift implementation of the report’s recommendations,” said KZN MEC for Cogta Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube, appointed Deloitte an independent forensic firm to investigate:
- Procurement irregularities
- Corruption
- Maladministration and
- Staff victimisation
- The most serious allegations included the irregular award of a tender for solar high mast lights
- The appointment and award of the contract to conduct OPMS at the Jozini municipality
- Over-expenditure relating to the renovations of Jozini Community halls and venues, and various personnel-related issues.
The investigation revealed serious acts of fraud and corruption allegedly perpetrated by Senior Officials.
- These include Business partner of Municipal Manager benefitting from tenders
- No declaration of interests by officials
- Senior Officials giving work to companies without capacity and even liquid cash in their bank accounts.
- Staff approving advance payment for work not done.
- Contracts were concluded and monies paid but service level agreement were signed after the payment.
- Staff failed to handle the Co-operatives project, flouted processes and Supply Chain Management (SCM) regulations, in this instance monies were paid to organisations without assessing capacity and value for money.
It is believed that as a results of these deliberate acts of misconduct the municipality may have been prejudiced by irregular expenditure estimated at a value of 92 million rand.
These allegations have been proven to be of substance hence a string of criminal, disciplinary and civil proceedings against current and suspended municipal employees, including the municipal manager, chief financial officer and technical management.
“The findings are proof that this investigation was conducted without fear or favour and our appeal now is to the Jozini council to consider the report and action these recommendations within 21 days in a process which we at Cogta will observe very closely,” said Dube-Ncube.
KZN Cogta takes all allegations of corruption at municipalities with utmost seriousness, approaches all investigations from an independent perspective and ensures that all recommendations emanating from forensic reports are duly implemented by the municipal councils concerned.
For more information contact:
Lennox Mabaso
Cell: 082 884 2403
