Progress in eThekwini forensic probe

2012-06-22 12:07

Durban City Hall Shutterstock.

Durban - A progress report on the findings of a forensic probe into alleged fraud in the eThekwini municipality was presented to the municipality's council on Thursday.

The council noted disciplinary processes against senior management and staff allegedly involved would be finalised most likely by the end of August, the municipality said in a statement.

New cases had also arisen from the auditor general's interim report and the municipality's own internal investigation.

"In this regard the city manager has been mandated to forward the names of councillors to the office of the speaker for disciplinary processes once all cases have been verified."

Those which related to officials would be submitted to the executive committee, and for the city manager to initiate disciplinary proceedings.

Tender irregularities

The probe, by auditors Manase and Associates, found numerous irregularities in the awarding of tenders and that councillors were involved in entities which did business with the municipality.

The probe was commissioned by the provincial co-operative governance department. KwaZulu-Natal local government MEC Nomusa Dube announced the findings on February 7.

The council decided not to renew the contracts of deputy city manager for infrastructure Derek Naidoo, and deputy city manager for safety and security Bheki Mkhize.

"Their last day of employment is the 30th of June 2012. Further, [it was decided] that the portions of allegations in the Manase report related to Mr Naidoo be forwarded to him by the city manager by the 15th of July," the municipality said.

The council reserved the right to pursue civil claims, and possibly criminal charges were warranted against Naidoo.

Steps taken to stabilise the Durban metropolitan police were thus far satisfactory, the council said.

Cases related to the drivers' licence scam, nepotism and irregular recruitment would also be finalised and expedited before the end of August.

Dube said on February 7 that there was substance to allegations that 30 trainee metro police constables had been referred to illegal driving schools by metro police college instructors.

Fourteen metro police officers were found to be running taxis.

"These police officers were identified because they had outstanding fines ranging from R5 100 to R117250," she said.

- SAPA