ALTHOUGH the stipulated one-month period has passed, the investigation team handpicked by COGTA MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube to probe allegations of maladministration, fraud and corruption at the City of uMhlathuze, has still not completed its task.
uMhlathuze Municipal Manager, Dr NJ Sibeko, confirmed on Wednesday that a final report had not been received and tabled to Council.
‘The investigators have visited the municipality and have interviewed various people. We have cooperated with them and handed in documentation requested during the probe,’ Dr Sibeko told the Zululand Observer.
The investigation team was given 30 days at the end of August to complete their findings, after which Council would be afforded 21 days to respond.
The team was tasked to look into controversial tender awards, particularly where there had been excessive delays as a result of interdicts against the municipality by unsuccessful bidders as well as deviation from supply chain management regulations by officials.
Tenders ‘being held up to allow for the validity period to expire because preferred bidders were not favoured’ were also being investigated by the MEC’s team of experts.
This included contracts relating to rural sanitation provision of 10 000 toilets, equipment and plant hire, water and waste water treatment facilities and provision of electricity.
Other terms of reference for the investigation entailed the alleged recruitment of all levels of personnel who had ‘no appropriate qualifications and/or experience’ and claims of nepotism.
Further allegations related to the unauthorised usage of municipal vehicles and subsequent private work conducted.
‘We are awaiting the final report before the end of the year so that we can finally close this chapter,’ said Dr Sibeko.
City Mayor Elphas Mbatha would not be drawn into commenting on the matter, adding that the report would surface before Council once it had been complete.
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