HIGHVELD – Govan Mbeki Municipality has resolved that Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs should invoke Section 106 of the Municipal Infrastructure Act which relates to a forensic probe into the affairs of the council following the findings of the auditor general’s (AG) report for the 2016/17 financial year.
The overall audit outcome for the municipality was an unqualified opinion.
The municipality did not improve from the unqualified opinion with material findings on the annual performance report and compliance with key legislation the previous year.
The material findings reported in the previous financial year have re-occurred and additional non-compliance was identified.
The main findings were that the reported achievements against planned targets of important indicators were not reliable when compared to the evidence provided.
Some of the planned indicators included in the annual performance were not clearly defined that performance on those indicators is verifiable.
The municipality was also accused of non-compliance in various matters, including budgets, annual financial statements, expenditure management and procurement and contract management.
The AG recommended to the mayor and the municipal manager that compliance be enhanced by implementing a checklist for all laws and regulations and must be monitored for implementation at a senior level.
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The report further recommended that consequences be implemented against those who cause or permit non-compliance with legislation.
Mr Nhlakanipho Zuma, speaker of the municipality, said the council felt that it does not have the capacity to implement the recommendation of the AG report.
He said the municipality does not have an investigation unit and that it is impossible to appoint someone at this time.
“The objective thereof is to ensure that there are fairness and transparency.
“We believe Cogta will efficiently investigate the matter without being biased.
“Actions are to be implemented should the findings indicate wrongdoing by anybody in the municipality.”
In March Mr Bongumusa Sithole, chief financial officer (CFO) of Govan Mbeki Municipality, was suspended for alleged fraudulent payments.
It is alleged Mr Sithole paid companies without following the proper procedure.
The amount involved is estimated at R3,5 million.
Mr Zuma said he could not comment about the developments of the cases as he did not have the capacity to do so however he would clarify as to why Mr Sithole was suspended.
“We did not say that Mr Sithole was guilty, but the council resolved to suspend him so he could not interfere with the investigation.”
Reliable sources informed the Ridge Times that many councillors in eMbalenhle are dissatisfied with the current state of the municipality and that some were threatening to resign if the leadership does not deal with the instability.
Councillors alleged that the deterioration of service delivery has put their lives in danger as residents direct their anger at them.
“A recent meeting was adjourned because when I got there, I realised that councillors wanted to speak about service delivery issues and I advised them to follow the right procedure to speaking about that.
“We are planning to meet soon.”
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