Pretoria - The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised by President Jacob Zuma to investigate allegations of mismanagement and maladministration against the Tshwane and Ekurhuleni Municipalities.
According to the SIU, the proclamations signed by Zuma also authorises the unit to investigate concerns related to procurements at both municipalities.
"Both Metro proclamations cover the period 1 January 2007 to the date of signature. Matters prior to 1 January 2007 may also be investigated if they are found to be connected or incidental to matters mentioned in the schedule of the proclamation," the SIU said in a statement.
Forensic investigators and accountants, specialists in the fields of cyber-forensics and data analytics and lawyers will be part of the team working on the investigations.
The SIU said these investigations were matters of high priority and work on them had already begun.
With regards to the Ekurhuleni Municipality, the SIU is investigating procurement processes, mismanagement, misspending and the misappropriation of the municipality's money and assets.
Investigations into the Tshwane Municipality will focus on the recruitment, selection and appointment of the municipality's employees.
Mismanagement of the municipality's affairs, fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the municipality, procurement procedures and the mismanagement of the municipality's finances, assets and other resources will also be scrutinised by the SIU.
Interference by suspended city manager Kiba Kekana in pending disciplinary proceedings against municipality staff and his failure to institute well founded disciplinary or other appropriate proceedings against staff is also being investigated.
