Extra R4-million needed for overtime claims

“Waste management is wasting millions!”

These were the words of Newcastle Mayor, Afzul Rehman after the Municipal Manager, Kebone Masange presented a top 10 list to EXCO implicating municipal employees, from the Department of Community Service, in alleged fraudulent dealings.

Welcome to Newcastle Municipality… where one employee allegedly claimed nearly R38 000 in overtime fees from the finance department, while another allegedly claimed R25 000.

“We were lucky to pick this up. I was checking through the finances of different departments with municipal auditors when we came across these fraudulent claims,” said Mr Masange.

Overtime was not the only benefit abused by employees.

Mr Masange singled out one person who allegedly claimed 40 kilometres of petrol allowance daily for travelling from Arbor Park to the municipal buildings.

“These guys think we are playing games here; we will be fining them and will ensure all their fraudulent deals are dealt with,” promised Mr Masange.

Cllr Rehman firmly supported this decision of the municipal manager.

He warned, “Heads will roll,” and alleged employees committing fraudulent deals were the same ones who helped incite the protests in April this year.

The department was granted a budget of R17.5-million last year, but had to apply for another R4-million to cover excess expenditure caused by these fraudulent deals.

Cllr Rehman proposed to EXCO that all overtime pay in the municipality be stopped.

“No employee of the municipality should be claiming overtime, unless authorised by their manager and the EXCO committee.”

Strategic Executive Director of Community Services, Mandla Sithole was tasked by EXCO to find out exactly what was going on.

A resolution to the matter will be tabled before EXCO later this month.