Part 3: Allegations against Afzul Rehman and his response

The forensic investigation by Cogta’s Treasury Department alleged that Afzul Rehman awarded over-priced contracts to companies that enriched his own family, dodging the procurement process by applying Section 36 of the municipality’s Supply Chain Management (SCM) policy.

June 12, 2019

Newcastle Advertiser 2 minutes read

Section 36 is used to condone the acquisition of goods and services when an urgent situation makes it implausible to wait for the time it would take to follow the normal tender process.

In reaction to the Section 36 allegation, he said:

“You do realise I was not the accounting officer, right?”

Cogta’s investigation further exposes how Afzul allegedly abused his position of authority by funnelling municipal money into a company, Phonestatic. This entity belonged to his sister-in-law and was managed by his brother.

A private investigator appointed by AfriForum had allegedly unearthed damning evidence against Afzul, which had been forwarded to the Hawks’ Commercial Crime Unit in Pietermaritzburg, which conducted further investigations. A docket has since been sent to the Director of Public Prosecution, who will decide whether criminal charges are to follow or not. Afzul responded to this by saying that neither Afriforum nor the Hawks had ever approached him for a statement.

Afzul stated in response to the allegation that it is nothing more than hearsay some of which are laughable. He demanded proof and stated “I will NEVER respond to accusations and allegations.” He also accused the Newcastle Advertiser’s source of having a grudge against him or too much time on their hands.

“I had run the municipality to the best of my ability. Of course I made mistakes along the way, but in general people received good services and infrastructure was built. Now the town says I stole all the money, that is why they are in financial problems. Yet if you look around, you can see exactly where the money was spent.

How many other mayors can point and say this bridge or this building is where we spent it (the money)…With all the mayors passing through my office no-one has uncovered a shred of evidence against me.” – Afzul Rehman

“The axes and knives are with the regime now, they have to find a scapegoat for the mess they are in and I am an easy target. But the fact is everyone thinks I am corrupt and have made a decision in their minds yet can’t seem to find how!!!! It’s simple…I never stole a cent from this municipality and God is my witness.”