Six DA-led councils in Cape investigated
Damning report reveals nine are being probed over ‘irregularities’
ADAMNING report presented by provincial authorities at the George municipality revealed that six DA-run municipalities may be hotbeds for tender irregularities, mismanagement and invalid appointments of senior officials.
Graham Paulse, head of the local government department, and his senior officials briefed the legislature’s standing committee on local government about the Hawks’ investigation into corruption.
Paulse also briefed politicians on investigations into other Cape municipalities.
In the DA-run George, he said, an employee alleged supply chain management irregularities and gross deviation from tender specifications, dating back to 2014 and involving two companies.
“The Provincial Forensic Services, based on a detailed assessment of the information and documentation, could not find substantive evidence and requested additional information. Allegations of fraud and corruption at the George municipality were brought to the attention of the department and the MEC, by a whistle-blower.
The department requested to meet the whistle-blower and the PFS in George to obtain additional information and determine if prima facie evidence existed of fraud and corruption. The initial screening indicated evidence that supported the veracity of the allegations,” Paulse said.
Last month, the Hawks swooped on George municipality offices, business premises and private homes during a
LAST MONTH THE HAWKS SWOOPED ON THE GEORGE MUNICIPALITY AND SOME BUSINESSES
search-and-seizure operation, after allegations of fraud and corruption had been made concerning procurement processes and the awarding of tenders by the municipality. Electronic equipment and a number of documents were retrieved by the Hawks during their operation yesterday.
Paulse, however, said George was not the