On Monday morning (9/12), the SIU, supported by the Hawks and police, searched three municipal offices in connection with allegations surrounding the refurbishment of the Brandfort water treatment works and raw water pump stations, as well as the upgrading of the Brandfort sports centre (phase II).

In a new development, as the SIU was conducting its search, it received information that the project management offices changed their premises. The new premises in Winnie Mandela (formerly Brandfort) may have some of the documents the SIU needs for the investigation.

The SIU found some needed documents at the second premises. Photo supplied

Upon receiving this information, the SIU obtained consent from the municipality to search another property, as this address was not part of the search warrant.

The operation forms part of an ongoing investigation into alleged maladministration and corruption linked to two major tenders. It followed a warrant granted by the Welkom Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday (3/12), enabling the SIU to seize evidence according to Proclamation 182 of 2024, which mandates an investigation into the maladministration of municipal funds and tenders.

Masilonyana’s finance office. Photo supplied

The probe aims to uncover whether municipal officials, service providers, or other parties unlawfully benefited, resulting in unauthorised, irregular, or wasteful expenditure, said SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago. 

“The investigation specifically seeks to determine if the actions of those involved led to financial losses for the municipality or other forms of maladministration.”

SIU raiding offices of Masilonyana Municipality. Photo supplied

Efforts to obtain the required documents voluntarily from the municipality, beginning on 13 September, were ignored, he said. “This lack of cooperation left us no choice but to seek court intervention.

“The search allowed us to collect documents and electronic equipment necessary for auditing and compliance reviews of tenders awarded between 1 January 2013 and 13 September this year.”

The SIU secured several critical items during the raid, including company registration documents of involved service providers, payment records such as invoices, purchase orders, and remittance advice; laptops, mobile phones, and external storage drives; digital data, including emails and cloud storage linked to personnel involved in the projects.

The municipality has recently been embroiled in scandals including the legal battle with a former legal services manager. The ongoing dispute with Itumeleng Mogaecho centres around allegations of misconduct, unfair treatment, and the municipality’s failure to comply with awards issued by the SA Local Government Bargaining Council, which ordered compensation in two cases in favour of Mogaecho.

The municipality has recently been embroiled in scandals including the legal battle with a former legal services manager. The ongoing dispute with Itumeleng Mogaecho centres around allegations of misconduct, unfair treatment, and the municipality’s failure to comply with awards issued by the SA Local Government Bargaining Council, which ordered compensation in two cases in favour of Mogaecho.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg