Investigation into new Deputy Mayor over travel allowance still ongoing – metro
The Tshwane deputy mayor declared that she failed to pay back the money she received from Tshwane four years ago due to a "lapse in judgement" and chaos occurring in the metro during the time.
The investigation into allegations of fraud against the newly appointed Tshwane deputy mayor is ongoing, despite her publicly acknowledging she did not return the money she received for a work trip she did not undertake four years ago.
The financially troubled metro had initiated the investigation into the allegations of fraud brought forward by the EFF during a special council meeting in January following Dr Nasiphi Moya being elected deputy mayor.
Moya of ActionSA is the first-ever Tshwane deputy mayor.
Moya recently admitted to journalists, when harassed on the matter, that she never paid back the R10 000 subsistence allowance.
“The money was paid into the account a week before I pulled out of the trip. During that time, there was a lot of chaos in the city and also a lapse of judgement on my part. The city also never followed up and therefore there was never a refusal to pay back the money.”
Moya said she left Tshwane employment four months later and forgot to return the funds to the ailing municipality.
A Thief 📍 https://t.co/iw03aeoez2
— EFF Tshwane Region (@TshwaneEff) January 23, 2024
She however promised to pay back the R10 000 to Tshwane.
Tshwane spokesperson Sipho Stuurman on February 1, said the investigation was ongoing despite Moya’s recent admission to not returning the allowance.
Stuurman said Moya had agreed to cooperate with the process and pay back the money.
“The deputy mayor is willing to cooperate and pay back money before the investigation is concluded.
“This shows that she is very principled taking accountability and willing to work.
“There is an investigation which is not yet concluded and findings of this will be communicated when concluded.”
Opposition parties have said the election of Moya unopposed on Thursday, January 18 has left a sour taste in the mouth.
EFF Tshwane chairperson Obakeng Ramabodu wrote to the Tshwane city manager that their allegations have been vindicated and exposed the corruption of her recent appointment.
“Moya’s appointment, which occurred during our absence as a form of protest, is based on facts of corruption and fruitless expenditures.
“Notably, this includes the planned trip to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in 2020 that cost the municipality R225 000 for three Tshwane delegates. Dr Moya did not attend, yet the amount includes a direct deposit of R10 100 into Dr Moya’s account for subsistence travel claims.”
Ramabodu said the EFF asked the city manager to investigate the alleged financial misconduct against her concerning her previous tenure as chief of staff in the mayor’s office in 2020.
“We demanded that Tshwane expedite the investigation and ensure the tabling of an impartial report to the council.
“This report should recommend that the city recoup its lost funds from the corrupt ActionSA deputy mayor, and the council should either remove her or compel her to resign voluntarily as a demonstration of remorse and accountability.”
Ramabodu gave the city manager until the end of January to release the report.
“Failure to do so will compel us to report our case to the Public Protector and/or the Special Investigative Unit.
“Please be reminded that Section 173(2) of the Municipal Finance Management Act states that the accounting officer of a municipal entity commits an offence if they fail to prevent irregular, fruitless, and wasteful expenditure or corrupt practices in managing the entity’s assets. These issues should be considered seriously as they may impact your oversight responsibilities.”
The position of deputy mayor was created according to Section 55 of the Municipal Structures Act, and an MMC post had to be dissolved to make space for a deputy mayor.
Rekord understands the deputy mayor will cost the metro about R65 792 more than an MMC package of currently around R1.7-million per annum.
The deputy mayor’s role entails:
– controlling the levers of Tshwane’s power if the first citizen is absent or unavailable
– may also issue further powers and functions
– may dismiss any MMC.
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