The DA in Ekurhuleni has laid criminal charges of corruption against former city manager Imogen Mashazi and technology company XET Solutions, following reports linking them to alleged tender-related irregularities within the municipality.

According to the DA, Mashazi allegedly accepted a chartered flight to London in July 2022 valued at millions of rand, which she reportedly failed to declare.

“From the allegations contained in this weekend’s papers, it is now clear why the money for the flight originated from a company called XET Solutions, which at the time had an active tender in place with the city,” said the DA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate and Gauteng MPL, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane.

“This is part of the billions of public funds that have been looted while service delivery collapses.”

Rasilingwane said the allegations raise concerns that the former city manager may have breached the city’s supply chain management policies, as well as provisions of the Municipal Systems Act, the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.

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The DA also questioned XET Solutions’ involvement in municipal contracts related to Ekurhuleni’s billing infrastructure.

“What we find highly suspicious is that the company involved in this matter, XET Solutions, has won tenders from the city to work on vital infrastructure related to electronic bill payments and is therefore involved with the city’s billing system,” said Rasilingwane.

She referred specifically to Tender A-ICT 02-2021, awarded during the tenure of former mayor, Mzwandile Masina.

The contract involved the support, maintenance, upgrade, expansion and skills transfer of the city’s enterprise resource planning system, known as SOLAR.

According to Rasilingwane, SOLAR is the same system that was allegedly exploited by a criminal syndicate responsible for siphoning approximately R2b from the city.

“Shortly after Mashazi’s London trip, XET Solutions was awarded another tender, A-ICT 04-2023, to continue working on SOLAR.

“We must therefore ask a vital question: was XET Solutions, any of its employees or management, somehow involved in the theft of R2b from the city? And further to this, what role did Imogen Mashazi play in that saga?” she said.

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The DA has called for a full investigation into the matter and says those found guilty of wrongdoing should be held accountable.

“We will ask the difficult questions, and we will hold corrupt officials accountable. We will do so because we believe in a city that works for all its residents, one that is not for sale to the highest bidder,” said Rasilingwane.

“Every cent of public money should be spent on delivering services, creating opportunities and restoring dignity to residents.”

She also urged residents to participate in the democratic process, saying voter engagement is critical to addressing corruption and improving governance in the city.

Thus far, the allegations have not yet been tested in court, and no findings of wrongdoing have been made against Mashazi or XET Solutions.