Allegations of serious maladministration in the affairs of the Makana municipality are under the microscope of the Special Investigating Unit.
The watchdog was authorised through a proclamation by President Cyril Ramaphosa to investigate allegations of maladministration in relation to seven tenders.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said this week the investigation would look at:
- Makana Bulk Sewer Upgrade Phase 1
The auditor-general report dated June 30 2019, flagged the following contracts and goods and/or services procured by the municipality with a transaction value above R200,000 without the municipality inviting competitive bids:
- Professional engineering services for groundwater development projects;
- Implementing agents for water conservation and demand management;
- Reappointment of MBB Consulting for water conservation and demand management;
- Electrification of the greater Makana and surrounding areas 11KV Line Project;
- Host municipal emails and provide internet services; and
- Operate and manage the Makana burning landfill site for six months.
According to the proclamation, the terms of reference for the SIU include investigating alleged serious maladministration in the municipality, improper or unlawful conduct by employees and unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money.
Spokesperson Anele Mjekula confirmed the municipal manager’s office had received communication from the SIU requesting documents to assess the allegations of maladministration and collusion reported to it by whistle-blowers.
“The municipality is complying with the request by preparing all the information and documents required for submission to the SIU,” Mjekula said.
Kganyago said the SIU would look at payments made in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective, or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines or instructions from the National or Provincial Treasury.
“This includes the municipality or state’s unauthorised, irregular or wasteful expenditure.
“The probe will also look at any irregular, unlawful or improper conduct by officials or employees of the municipality, its suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity implicated.
“The probe will include establishing any undisclosed or unauthorised interests that the municipality’s officials or employees may have had in suppliers or service providers bidding for work or doing business with the municipality or to whom contracts were awarded by the municipality, as identified by the [auditor-general].
“Beyond investigating maladministration, corruption and fraud, the SIU will identify systemic failures and recommend measures to prevent future losses.”
“The SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.”
EFF provincial secretary Simthembile Madikizela said the proclamation was a progressive initiative as the municipality had “always been fingered in the AG’s reports as one of the municipalities that is badly run in the East Cape”.
“We welcome the investigation but also wish to advise the government not to rely on or wait for an investigation to unfold.
“We call for immediate action. Section 154 of the constitution must be invoked immediately.
“The stability of the municipality must be the priority of this seventh administration.
“Service delivery challenges have [continued] for too long as if there’s no government in this province.
“We are further concerned about the ineffectiveness of the NPA to prosecute commercial crimes after such investigations as that of the SIU.
“We will therefore monitor this investigation and its outcomes closely.”
Makana Citizens Front leader Lungile Mxube said the proclamation was long overdue.
“Corruption is [allegedly] very deep in Makana and the sooner the better that the SIU and the Hawks join forces to deal with corruption in that municipality.
“That municipality is in a financial sinking hole.
“We will be watching this one and we are looking forward to the SIU speedily concluding its investigation so that there’s an immediate arrest of the [alleged] criminals.”
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