The MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Mr Simon Skhosana has appointed a team of forensic investigators in terms of section 106(1) (b) of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (act No.32 of 2000), to conduct investigations in Nkangala District, Govan Mbeki and Mbombela Local Municipalities.
These investigations come after MEC Skhosana became concerned with allegations of fraud, corruption and other serious malpractices in these municipalities.
In Nkangala the team will investigate allegations of fraud and corruption with regards to supply chain management issues and allegations relating to Human Resource issues, in Govan Mbeki the team will investigate allegations of fraud and corruption with regards to financial management and in Mbombela the team will investigate allegations of fraud and corruption with regards to supply chain management issues and allegations of improper Governance issues. In all the three municipalities the teams will also investigate any other serious malpractices.
MEC Skhosana says the investigations will enable the department to get a better understanding of the situation in the three municipalities. “Such an investigation will enable the department to test the veracity of the allegations of fraud, corruption, or any other serious malpractices within these Municipalities.” says Skhosana.
The investigators will collect information through interviews, accessing records and sub-poening people where necessary. The investigators are expected to complete their work within 21 days.
Once the investigations have been completed the reports will be handed to MEC Skhosana who will then submit them to the three respective councils for consideration and action.
MEC Skhosana would like to call upon anyone within the three municipalities who has any information on the allegations to support the investigators. He has also appealed for the full co-operation of all stakeholders during the investigation.
