Pretoria – Gauteng Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC Jacob Mamabolo has welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s forensic report on the allegations of maladministration and corruption in the Westonaria Local Municipality (WLM).
The forensic report followed an investigation which started last year following accusations and allegations of corruption in the running of the WLM. The violent protests that ensued saw wide-scale destruction of public facilities.
“I am pleased to welcome the release of the report. I am also happy that the Greater Westonaria Concerned Residents Association (GWCRA) was briefed formally during the presentation by the Auditor-General,” MEC Mamabolo said.
The department said the investigation centred around six allegations, namely – procurement of a waste management service provider, procurement of a lie detector, procurement of a service provider for a clean-up campaign, procurement of a service provider for the construction of houses, payment to a fictitious security company and payments of the Executive Mayor’s private trip to the Eastern Cape.
“The Auditor-General only found adversely on two allegations. Firstly in the procurement of waste management the municipality did not comply with clause 2.2 of the Service Level Agreement on the empowerment of the Community Based Contractors.
“Secondly, the appointment of the service provider for the clean-up campaign contravened section 32 (1) (d) of the Municipal Supply Chain Management regulations,” the department said.
The GWCRA has requested time to study the report.
“It is my hope that the report will be welcomed in the spirit of ensuring that Westonaria Local Municipality improves and continues to discharge its functions well in the provision of services to people in the municipality. Our best interest is to see peace and cooperation prevailing in the area,” MEC Mamabolo said. - SAnews.gov.za
