DA wants Mr Fix-it suspended

The Democratic Alliance is calling for the immediate suspension of the municipal manager, Mr Theo van Vuuren following corruption charges against him.

On September 12 Cllr Naritha Naidu, DA Caucus Leader in the eMalahleni Local Council wrote a formal letter to the Executive Mayor Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali requesting that Van Vuuren be put on immediate suspension.

“Mr Van Vuuren currently has corruption charges pending against him, on top of that the municipality’s Eskom debt continues to rise, with the municipality still losing R40 million a month to large scale fraudulent activities,” Naidu wrote.

Municipal Manager, Mr Theo van Vuuren’s head is on the chopping block.

Naidu’s request comes on the backdrop of the corruption charges that were laid on Friday, July 22.
Cllr Koos Venter and DA’s Provincial Chairperson and Political Head in Emalahleni, Jane Moloisi-Sithole laid the official charges based on guidelines set out in the Municipal Finance Management Act.

Venter said he believes that Van Vuuren, as the accounting officer of the municipality, failed to take all reasonable steps to prevent corruption.
These allegations were made after the discovery of an alleged scheme in which the municipality was defrauded of close to R1 million.

The council leased land to two farmers, but money that should have been paid into the municipality’s coffers was paid into a personal account belonging to a company called Nutra Trading and Projects.

Van Vuuren reacted to the charges at the time it was laid and said:

“I deny the allegations against me that I knowingly facilitated payments into a fraudulent account. I am committed to fight any form of corruption and since my appointment more than 30 people have already been dismissed on charges whilst further disciplinary processes are ongoing. In this time a fully capacitated internal audit function with investigating capabilities was also created as well as various systems and controls created to fight such activities. If something is wrong we will find out who is responsible for it and steps will be taken.”

Since this statement he has not yet again given a progress report on the investigation initiated to find out who the guilty parties behind this scheme is.

“Now, more than ever, eMalahleni needs strong leadership. Leadership that will stop corruption and ensure that services are delivered to communities. At this moment, Mr Van Vuuren is compromised and has lost the confidence of the residents,” read Naidu’s last line in the letter to the mayor.

Mr Lebohang Mofokeng, municipal spokesperson said the municipality has concluded its investigations and the findings thereof will be dealt with through Audit Committee.

“The municipality is cooperating with the SAPS in the latter’s investigation of the matter. The municipality will refrain from making premature statements and allegations until the investigations are completed. In the same vein we appeal to all parties to refrain from making misleading statements. We must all allow the SAPS to do its work without interruptions,” Mofokeng said.

ALSO READ:
DA out for blood
DA launches petition for Lindiwe to reject R1.5 million luxury vehicle