North West Legislature Committee on Cooperative Governance Lambasts Dr. Ruth Mompati District Municipality for Non-Existent R38m Call Centre
The North West Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Premier, Finance, Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs chaired by Hon. Aaron Motswana has expressed shock and dismay on Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District Municipality for procuring a non-existent call centre valued at R38 million. This follows media reports that the district municipality created a duplicate call centre with public funds that were meant for service delivery.
Hon. Motswana said the Committee was shocked and angered at the public money that was diverted from service delivery matters to creating a ‘fake call centre” which resulted on a duplication of duties with the long instituted call centre within the municipality. “We urge the Acting Premier Nono Maloyi to take necessary steps to stop rampant corruption, fraud and looting at an industrial scale in Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District. This shows thuggery, theft, and fraud of the highest order that when thieves ran out of ideas on how to authorise theft of taxpayers’ monies, the only logic was for them to create a shack and imaginary computers, handheld radios and vehicles to justify their greed.
“It is more shocking that some Councillors voted for this item in contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Municipal Systems Act as amended, and further disturbing that the municipal manager, Mr. Ronny Jonas attempted to defend the criminal act as it sought to tell of his character and credibility in protecting public funds in terms of his responsibilities as stated on the MFMA,” said Hon. Motswana.
He further stated that it is on this context that whilst the Committee implore on the Acting Premier Maloyi to act, the Committee will also involve law enforcement agencies such as the Special Investigative Unit and the Presidency to declare a proclamation on both Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati and Ngaka Modiri Molema district municipalities. “The only sensible thing to do is to arrest those involved and other criminals including Councillors who voted on this irrational and unsound item and recover every cent paid for this non-existing imaginary call centre.
“What is also disheartening is the track record of the Municipal Manager on the Labour Court ruling against him when he was at Maquassi Hills Municipality including his irregular and fraudulent payments. In Mamusa and Tswaing local municipalities, he also has dubious tract records therefore it is not surprising that he would see any wrong doing for paying for a none existing shack call centre. We cannot be party to conducting such acts of thuggery and theft against the people of Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati district who do not have water and poor sanitation due to lack of services from the district municipality,” said Hon. Motswana.
For more information or to arrange interviews with the Chairperson contact
Namhla Luhabe
Deputy Manager - Communications
North West Provincial Legislature
Tell: 018 392 7000
Cell: 079 527 0628
Fax: 086 695 3784
E-mail: namhla@nwpl.org.za
