Xasa denies knowledge of traffic scam probe

ZINE GEORGE Co-operative governance and traditional affairs MEC Fikile Xasa has challenged whoever instituted the Amahlathi traffic scam investigation to come forward and table the report in council.

Xasa said he knew nothing of the report, compiled by a Gauteng-based company called Arms Audit and Risk Management Solutions.

The 23-page report implicates three Amahlathi traffic officials in fraudulent activities.

It states that learners’ licences were issued by someone who did not examine the applicants and drivers’ licences were issued without drivers having their eyes tested.

Xasa oversees the running of all Eastern Cape municipalities and would be made aware when there are any investigations instituted. But he told the Dispatch last week he had no knowledge of the report on Amahlathi’s traffic scams.

However, Amathole ANC regional secretary Teris Ntutu, whose region is responsible for overseeing and guiding ANC deployees in Amahlathi council confirmed last week they were aware of the traffic scandal, and blamed Xasa for failing to allow council to discuss the report.

The MEC instead tabled another report which uncovered irregularities when hiring some of senior staff members.

Speaking to the Dispatch, Xasa said he instituted only one internal investigation in Amahlathi, and it was related to ongoing protests by disgruntled residents who claimed the process followed to hire workers for a Sanral project was unfair.

“I can't say yes when someone is blaming me for tabling a report I do not know about,” Xasa said.

There is also a third report which has not yet been debated in council which is from the Special Investigation Unit.

Its preliminary findings implicated a senior Amahlathi official in gross irregularities after the municipality bought roads construction equipment from someone who had leased it elsewhere.