SIU poised to probe council

MALUTI-A-PHOFUNG MUNICIPALITY: HAWKS ARREST TWO OFFICIALS FOR R4M GRAFT

he Special Investigating Unit says it has contacted the embattled Free State local municipality of Maluti-A-Phofung about speeding up their investigation into allegations of fraud and maladministration by its officials.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently announced the municipality would be scrutinised by the unit.

The SIU said Ramaphosa still has to sign and gazette a proclamation outlining the scope of the investigation.

previously reported that two officials, chief financial officer Nrateng Khumalo and expenditure manager Diakanyo Khampepe, were arrested by the Hawks last month for alleged fraud and corruption amounting to more than R4 million.

Previously the cash-strapped municipality blamed what it called tampering with electricity meter boxes and the vandalism of bulk and electricity distribution infrastructure as the main reasons why it constantly failed to pay its debt to Eskom.

Eskom has attached assets of the municipality as a result of its debt of about R2.8 billion.

The SIU said that if it found evidence pointing to a criminal act, the unit was required by law to refer such evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority as the SIU did not have the powers to prosecute.

It added that it was also required by law to refer criminal evidence of misconduct to the municipal manager for disciplinary action against affected parties.

The unit said the duration of its investigation would be informed by the complexity of it.

The SIU would consider issuing an interim report within six to 12 months of starting the probe. –