THE city’s audit committee has released a damning report in which they said ratepayers’ money was going down the drain. Addressing the city’s executive committee, the audit report showed that Metro Police accounted for R12.7-million lost from police stores. Items range from stationery to uniforms to fuel and toiletries.

According to the report, more than R20-million worth of ratepayers’ money went down the drain on lost or stolen city stock over a six-month period.

uMhlanga ward councillor, Heinz de Boer, believes there is currently no oversight to prevent problems by a department ‘plagued by problems’.

“It’s extremely concerning that a huge amount of money is being wasted and unaccounted for within the Metro Police. Most of the R12-million was lost in uniforms, which were either not recorded properly or misappropriated. It’s an absolute nightmare. Another item of contention is the city’s pounds, which are full to capacity. In some cases, vehicles are being impounded for longer than a year.

“Not only does this open the city to huge legal challenges because criminals are stealing vehicle parts and some vehicles are being vandalised. I know some cases in which the vehicle has been in the pound for longer than a year. It is just poor management. I think the city needs to look at disciplinary action against Metro officials, but the city manager also needs to take responsibility as this is a city department,” he said.