Mpumalanga: Govan Mbeki Local Municipality under investigation

Mpumalanga News reports that the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs(COGTA), Mandla Msibi, introduced the Section 106 investigation for the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality to the Council, during a special sitting in Secunda.

Section 106 (1) (b) of the Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 states that if the MEC has reason to believe that a municipality in the province cannot or does not fulfill a statutory obligation binding on the municipality of that maladministration, fraud, corruption or any other serious malpractice has occurred or is occurring in a municipality in the province, the MEC must designate a person or persons to investigate the matter.

Msibi’s decision is in line with the Provincial Executive Council’s resolution earlier this month to institute investigations in Govan Mbeki and two other municipalities, Dr JS Moroka and Dr Pixley Ka Isaka Seme Local Municipalities.

He further said the investigation will be conducted as a measure to clear all allegations. “I appeal for your
maximum cooperation for the success of the investigation, including the public. It will be conducted without fear or prejudice. It will cover the period from 2017 until this year,” he told councillors.

He further tabled the Terms of Reference for the investigation. He said the investigation will focus on the following, but not limited to:

• Maladministration
• Non implementation of Council resolutions
• Abuse of Municipal property and assets
• Advertisement of tenders without following legislation
• Nepotism
• Awarding of bursaries without following procedures
• Selling of RDP houses and empty stands