Despite recovering most of the missing millions, KwaDukuza residents are still waiting for answers on arrests or consequences following the municipal funds theft.

At a recent council meeting, opposition parties once again pressed for answers on accountability.

Key questions included what disciplinary steps had been taken against KDM employees implicated, and whether any arrests had been made.

“We were given a list of people who benefited from the money stolen from this municipality and we had hoped mayor Ali Ngidi would explain whether anyone has been arrested,” said Independent Alliance chairperson Melisizwe Ntleko.

In response, Ngidi urged councillors not to use the matter for political grandstanding.

“We were all in the same council when we were informed of how much was taken and how much was recovered. As mayor, I receive the same updates as everyone else in this council,” he said.

Municipal spokesperson Sifiso Zulu told the Courier that no formal report has been submitted to council yet. He said it will be shared with the media once available. The funds were stolen on January 31 in what appears to have been a cybercrime.

Absa recovered R30.8-million. R4.4-million was transferred to a company with an FNB account and R500 000 was sent to Capitec-linked accounts.

The latest update about the matter came in April, when Zulu said the Pietermaritzburg High Court had approved the municipality’s application to liquidate the company that received the R4.4-million. A liquidator has since been appointed, and the process is ongoing.

No similar action has been reported concerning the Capitec-linked funds. The municipality claims Capitec has not co-operated.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.