A FORENSIC audit report compiled by KZN Treasury relating to the Mthonjaneni Municipality has been gathering dust somewhere in the offices of the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) for more than a year.
KZN Treasury last week confirmed that the report, which contains details surrounding alleged irregular expenditure by the municipality for infrastructure and other projects, as well as the appointment of service providers and people to key management positions, was apparently completed in August 2014 and then sent to the office of Cogta MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube.
‘The investigation was completed and handed over to Cogta. Any enquiries should be referred to them,’ said Acting Media Liaison Officer of the KZN Finance Department, Sibonelo Msomi, in an e-mailed response.
Since November last year, the Zululand Observer has sent repeated requests for clarification on the status of the report to Cogta spokesperson, Lennox Mabaso.
Despite his acknowledgement of the queries, no comment has been forthcoming.
Damning report
Sources who wish to remain anonymous said the report would be ‘damning’ to beleaguered Municipal Manager Raymond Mnguni and other officials.
Mnguni, who was recently notified of Council’s intention to suspend him, on Friday said he held no knowledge of the report which investigated incidents between 1 July 2012 and 31 December 2013, despite his appointed in January 2013.
‘I have no idea about this report,’ he said. ‘Who is telling you these things? They are spreading lies.’
A request for information sent to Mthonjaneni Municipality at the start of the investigation by KZN Treasury listed the following issues:
• Food parcels for waste programme
• Payment for training of ward committees
• Bus shelter and Ndundulu projects
• Procurement of Councillors’ vehicles
• Council accommodation during the 2013 SALGA Games
• Appointment of a Corporate Services Manager, which the document only names as ‘Mrs Mathe’
• Appointment of the mayor’s bodyguards
Sources who claim to have knowledge of the contents of the report are asking for it to be made public and have expressed their intention to take the matter up with the Office of the Public Protector.
Whether Cogta will allow the report to see the light of day remains to be seen.
