Alfred Duma Municipality denies that Hawks raided their building

Alfred Duma Local Municipality have denied allegations that the Hawks raided their building and confiscated computers and laptops.

A message to this effect has been circulating on social media over the weekend and has sparked great concern among community members.

In the message, it stated that Hawks had entered the Alfred Duma Municipality offices and confiscated laptops and computers of the mayor and top officials, and that suspensions were to follow while investigations were being conducted.

Alfred Duma Local Municipality spokesperson Siya Maphalala denies these statements.

“Administratively, we have never seen the Hawks in our municipal building and to date, the accounting officer and the mayor have never received reports or knowledge pertaining to an investigation conducted by the Hawks relating to municipal governance. I can confirm that no municipal laptop has been taken by the Hawks.”

Another allegation involves the illegal hiring of employees.

Maphalala reacted to this by saying: “On the filling of vacancies, it should be noted that as a municipality, we have a responsibility to govern. Management, in consultation with Council, have a responsibility to decide on which vacancies are critical and non-critical. Recruitment and placement remains the function of the Human Resource Directorate.”|

I can confirm that no employee has been suspended pending the outcome of their appointment. As officials, we are all on duty as expected.”

Spokesperson Siya Maphalala continued that council leadership and management have been dragged into too much negative publicity aimed at tainting the image of the municipality.

“I appeal to all those involved in the spreading of such propaganda to refrain. After all that has been said about Council leadership and management, particularly the municipal manager, it should be noted that we all understand the motives driven by the perpetrators.

“We remain solid as the Municipal Administration and Council led by the African National Congress. No amount of propaganda will collapse this Council, even if it is driven internally by the opposition parties within the same Alfred Duma Local Municipal Council.

“We have a lot more to offer to our communities without fear or favour in the form of service provision guided by the national and provincial agenda of government.”

He concluded that, “It should be noted that opposition parties play a significant role in all forms of governing structures and they also form and participate in all governance processes.

“Their public criticisms create an ever enabling environment for African National Congress deployees in governance to accelerate and excel in all platforms and avenues of service delivery.”

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