City reaffirms declaration of interests policy

THE City of uMhlathuze is tightening up its monitoring of officials involved in procurement and tenders, according to an item brought forward on last week’s Exco agenda.

An internal Contracts Management Review audit revealed the need for project managers and staff involved in contracts, at all levels, to declare any conflict of interests according to municipal supply chain policy and code of conduct.

In line with national policy, an official or any other role player involved in supply chain management:

• may not use his/her position for private gain or to improperly benefit another person;

• may not accept any reward, gift, favour, hospitality or other benefit to a value more than R350, and must declare such to the accounting officer;

• must declare details of any private or business interest he/she (or close family, business partner or associate) may have in any proposed procurement or awarding of a municipal contract – and must immediately withdraw from participation in such;

• must declare any business, commercial and financial interests or activities undertaken for financial gain that might raise a possible conflict of interest;

• should not place him/herself under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organisations that might seek to influence them in the performance of their official duties.

Failure to adhere to the above could result in financial loss, fraud, unauthorised or wasteful expenditure, ineffective project management and poor service delivery.

The audit revealed that in many instances, the declaration of interests policy was not being followed, and steps are being implemented to correct this.

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