Beaufort West council probe will go ahead

A FORENSIC investigation into maladministration and corruption in the beleaguered Beaufort West Municipality will go ahead even though it will soon be under the ANC’s control.

The Karoo Democratic Force, the kingmaker in the council, broke off its 2016 agreement to run the municipality. Both the ANC and DA won six council seats and wooed the KDF to go into a coalition.

Noel Constable, KDF leader, said the forensic report would continue. “Many have their own view on this matter. There are those who believe that the new coalition government will put the brakes on this forensic report. That is not the case.”

The forensic audit will investigate the alleged irregular appointments of service providers, violations of municipal finance regulations and questionable expenditure under the previous administration, the DA previously said

Constable said the investigation was conducted by the provincial government; the full council took a decision to allow an investigation; it is financed by the province; the final report is not the property of the council and the recommendations are being implemented.

“The report is also in the hands of the Hawks. So everyone who is implicated should take responsibility for their actions. What I cannot understand is that the report has been here for three weeks and not a single recommendation implemented. So you need not wonder what the ANC-KDF coalition will do with this report.”

Windy Plaatjies, ANC regional secretary, said the parties agreed to at all times reach consensus on issues. “Any case that pertains to the municipality will be dealt with in conjunction with both parties. For this to be achieved, we will establish a managing forum to deal with the day to day matters of the coalition.”