The MEC for Cogta, Mandla Msibi released an executive summary of the long-awaited forensic report to the Govan Mbeki Municipal Council today.
The forensic report was initiated by the MEC during a council meeting in December.
Section 106 of the Municipal Systems act reads as follows:
Non-performance and maladministration
106. (i) If an MEC has reason to believe thar a municipality in the province cannot or does not fulfil a statutory obligation binding on that municipality or that maladministration, fraud, corruption or any other serious malpractice has occurred or is occurring in a municipality in the province, the MEC must—
(a) by written notice to the municipality, request the municipal council or municipal manager to provide the MEC with information required in the notice; or
(b) if the MEC considers it necessary, designate a person or persons to investigate the matter
(2) In the absence of applicable provincial legislation, the provisions of sections 2,3, 4, 5 and 6 of the Commissions Act, 1947 (Act No. 8 of 1947), and the regulations made in terms of that Act apply, with the necessary changes as the context may require, to an investigation in terms of subsection (1)(b). (3) An MEC issuing a notice in terms of subsection (l)(a) or designating a person to 10 conduct an investigation in terms of subsection (l)(b), must submit a written statement to the National Council of Provinces motivating the action.
The investigation was instructed under section 106 (i)(b).
The executive summary was a short and concise summary of what the full report entails.
Details of the report cannot be made available at this stage as it has not been tabled to council for consideration yet.
The instruction from the MEC is that council must reconvene within 14 days to consider the item in an extraordinary council meeting.
The Bulletin has learned that the full report has been sent to all councillors for their perusal. The report is unfortunately not available to the public yet.
It is clear from sources within the municipality that the report has recommended stern action and even referral to the hawks for some individuals, politicians and company directors.
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Sources told The Bulletin that there are several areas that were singled out by the MEC especially the procurement processes.
Political interference was also singled out by the MEC and strict measures were proposed by Msibi. The Bulletin will endeavour to keep you, our readers, informed of any developments on this story.
