Mayor and officials face fraud charges

“Ministers, MEC have done nothing”

DA MP Terri Stander has opened a fraud and corruption case against Eastern Cape’s Enoch Mgijima municipality mayor Sisisi Tolashe, her predecessor Lindiwe GunuzaNkwentsha and current and former top officials.

Stander yesterday opened the case against the two, former acting municipal managers Nolwandle Gqiba, Siyabonga Nkonki, Mziwoxolo Dingani, and incumbent Chris Magwangwana, former chief financial officer Nomthandazo Ntshanga, former acting chief financial officer Thomas Abrafo and council speaker Mzoxolo Peter for activities since August 16 2016.

Stander was assisted by Komani police station’s Captain Sipho Xhalabile who said the docket would be sent to the Hawks in East London for investigation.

Stander said she had singled out the politicians and officials because under their watch, the municipality had failed to deliver services and corruption had been rife.

“The ANC is aware of the matter and I have personally written to cooperative governance and traditional affairs [Cogta] MEC Fikile Xasa, [Cogta] Minister Zweli Mkhize and Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene, but they have done nothing to solve the problem.”

The municipality has been struggling to pay its debts and has resulted in Milowo Trading Enterprise auctioning some municipal assets as a way of recouping the millions owed to it for building a community hall in Sterkstroom.

“The municipality has indicated that it has paid Eskom and Milowo Trading Enterprise but that will not address the issues that led to the debt. Those responsible for the debt must be held to account.”

In her affidavit, Stander said the 10 councillors remunerated wrongly for 10 months as full-time councillors for R3.3million in irregular expenditure have not repaid the money to the municipality.

“Speaker Mzoxolo Peter has failed to ensure that the debt owed by councillors is paid. The accommodation and legal fees of former mayor Lindiwe Gunuza-Nkwentsha are paid by the municipality. Tuition fees of seven former councillors to Fort Hare University and the car hire of the mayoral vehicle are among issues that need to be investigated.”

Municipality spokesman Fundile Feketshane said he was unaware of the case.