Greater Tubatse under an SIU investigation

THE problems of the Greater Tubatse Municipality seems to be unresolved after it was recently revealed that the Hawks have not yet returned documents seized from this beleaguered institution.

The Hawks swooped down on the municipality on July 15, searched the offices and seized documents, which were taken in order to verify whether the allegations of corruption and maladministration in the municipality were true or not.

Last month the Hawks were ordered to return the documents by the North Gauteng high court because, according to the ruling, the documents had been seized unlawfully.

The municipality’s management fought tooth and nail to stop the Hawks from continuing with the investigation.

The municipality argued that the due channels in instituting the investigation were not followed and that made the Hawks’ investigation illegal.

The move was criticised by opposition parties as they claimed it was a bid by municipal leaders to conceal their bad deeds.

Municipal spokesperson, Thabiso Mokoena, confirmed that the municipality still waited for the documents’ return. “The police unit hasn’t returned the documents as per the court order and we have instructed our legal representatives to write a letter to them asking when they are going to return the files,” he said

The municipality made headlines in connection with corruption, maladministration and financial mismanagement amounting to the violation of the Municipal Finance Management Act and supply-chain policies before.

The municipality spent almost R3 million on attempts to get its books in order while, according to residents, service delivery has suffered.

This resulted in numerous protests at the Civic Centre.

President Jacob Zuma signed a proclamation on July 21 ordering the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) to investigate the Greater Tubatse municipality.

CV contacted SIU spokesperson, Boy Ndala, who said the investigations continued but were still in its early stages.

Opposition parties also highlighted the fact that water and lack of electricity was a concern to residents, who alleged service delivery was suffering because of corruption in the municipality.

Meanwhile ANC councillors of the municipality chose to shun the special council meeting that was scheduled for Friday August 30, for the second time in less than three months.

The meeting was called off as the speaker felt there were not enough councillors present. The ruling party’s councillors reportedly chose to go to the boardroom and discuss issues that were supposed be discussed in the council meeting.