Tshwane residents robbed of millions by ANC speaker, alleges Msimanga
An investigation by a forensic service provider has fingered the former administration.
Tshwane mayor Solly Msimanga takes the media through the details of a recent break in at the Centurion Licensing Services offices on 7 July 2017. The burglary saw sensitive equipment being stolen and further obstacles to services. Picture: Yeshiel Panchia
The Democratic Alliance-led Tshwane administration has found that R10 million worth of invoices, submitted to the office of the former speaker for work done during 2014, 2015 and 2016, could not be corroborated, nor was there any justification for the payments.
Tshwane executive mayor Solly Msimanga said this discovery followed an investigation by an independent forensic service provider.
Msimanga said the report, made at the monthly council sitting, said suppliers collectively claimed that a total of R28 172 203 was due to them.
“However, the investigation revealed serious transgressions of supply-chain management processes, as well as cases of possible fraud within the office of the speaker. There were also solid indications that some suppliers had submitted invoices for work not done.”
The current administration requests that invoices be verified and that it be determined that the work was done before payment.
“Based on the review of documentation provided to the investigators, as well as consultations conducted with the service providers, it was established that of the R28 172 203, only R11 372 255 could be verified and that the latter amount will be paid to eligible service providers,” he said.
“It is clear that rampant theft and fraud reigned supreme under the watch of the former mayor and speaker. Tshwane residents have been robbed of monies running into millions of rands, which could have been used for the socioeconomic development of the city and to create much-needed employment opportunities. It is as disappointing as it is unsurprising,” Msimanga said.
The city will take steps to ensure that entities found to have defrauded it are barred from business relations and that National Treasury blacklists them.
It was recommended that the city manager institute legal action with regard to wrongdoing. – news@citizen.co.za
