Central SA
Sol Plaatje municipality under investigation by SIU─── ZENANDE MPAME 15:57 Fri, 12 Apr 2024
“The investigation will also establish if there was any unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money.”
President Cyril Ramaphosa has authorised the Special Investigating Unit to investigate allegations of serious maladministration in the Sol Plaatje Municipality.
The SIU was also tasked with investigating unlawful expenditure of public money, improper or unlawful conduct of employees, or any offence committed in terms of the Prevention of Combating of Corrupt Activities at the Kimberley-based local authority.
“Proclamation 162 of 2024 authorised the SIU to probe the procurement of a project titled ‘Electrification Project’ for the Sol Plaatje Local Municipality,” said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago.
‘ SIU will investigate unauthorised, irregular, fruitless expenditure’
“The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure incurred by the state. The investigation will cover any unlawful or improper conduct by department officials or employees, the applicable suppliers, or service providers.”
The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that took place between 1 April 2015 and 5 April. DFA reports the municipality allocated R33 million in its 2021/22 capital budget to electrify 1,500 households in Lerato Park and R20 million for electricity provision to 1,100 households in Lethabo Park.
Residents who were connected to the grid in March during the second phase of the electrification project, experienced numerous delays. They claimed to have been waiting for power for five years.
‘The SIU will also identify system failures’
“In addition to investigating maladministration, malpractice, corruption, and fraud, the SIU will identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses,” said Kganyago.
“The SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.”
Meanwhile, the Tokologo Municipality in the Free State is also under investigation by the SIU due to allegations of serious maladministration on a project titled ‘Erection of 15 High Mast Lights’.
