Tshwane mayor lays into graft
THE ANC in Tshwane has, as expected, not taken kindly to mayor Solly Msimanga claiming victory as he laid charges against three highranking officials over suspected tender corruption.
Yesterday, Msimanga laid corruption charges against three officials accused of wrongdoing in a tender for the refurbishment of former mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa’s official residence and the city hall, which cost more than R90-million.
The three officials, who include political office bearers, were fingered in two external forensic reports commissioned by the previous administration.
The reports seemed to be gathering dust under the previous municipal leadership as no action was taken against the said officials, who cannot be named before they appear in court.
Msimanga laid the corruption charges at the Brooklyn police station in Pretoria. The criminal charges were part of his promise to “clean the rot in the metro” after the ANC was dislodged by the DA in the local elections last month.
This week he rejected 10 BMW 3 Series procured by his predecessors for use by executives. He said the cars would be used by the antihijacking unit of the metro police.
Msimanga said there would be no buying or hiring of luxury in the municipality, and that cheaper cars would be bought instead.
“This is just the first set of corruption charges to be laid… there will be more charges against more officials and former leaders. I am determined to cut out corruption in Tshwane,” he said.
But ANC Tshwane spokesman Teboho Joala blasted Msimanga for claiming credit for the nabbing of the officials.
“I do not understand why he is reporting this as a DA initiative because these reports he depends on to lay those charges are ours… We have been consistent in our intolerance for people who are found to be corrupt.”