Explosive report sparks national interest

In an explosive exposé published on June 7, the print edition of the Newcastle Advertiser introduced the first of a series of articles detailing the rot that has set into local governance.

June 12, 2019

Newcastle Advertiser 1 minute read

The sources that informed Newcastle Advertiser’s six page reportage included a forensic investigation report originating from the KZN Treasury Department’s Internal Audit Unit, and findings from a 2014 Cogta (the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs) investigation. These source documents were leaked anonymously to the Caxton Local Media (NKZN) Investigative Team.

The reports had not yet been tabled in local town council meetings. This means the media could not merely reproduce its content online. In stead, key allegations were extracted and comments obtained from those implicated.

Forensic investigators allege that the rot started in former Mayor Afzul Rehman’s time, when Kebone Masange was municipal manager.

The mayor of a municipality is tasked with providing political guidance over the policy, budget and financial affairs of a municipality. The municipal manager, on the other hand, is the driving force behind a municipality’s administration and has to integrate all the components (such as finance, corporate services, infrastructure services and economic development) thereof into strategic and operational plans.