DA flags high cost of Madiba memorial probe

The DA in Nelson Mandela Bay has asked the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to reduce its fees for investigating money spent on the events leading up to former president Nelson Mandela’s funeral.

This, after the council agreed the city would find R4.1m for the SIU investigation.

The municipality spent R6.23m on the provincial memorial service at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

It is one of eight institutions in the Eastern Cape to be investigated by the unit for the allocation of money and procuring of goods and services related to the 2013 funeral.

DA councillor Retief Odendaal wrote on Thursday last week to the unit’s head, advocate Jan Mothibi, asking that the SIU consider reducing the cost of the investigation.

“I am extremely concerned that the [municipality] has been requested to find budget allocation to the tune of approximately [R4.1m] to fund the said investigation.

“Whilst I am fully aware that it’s accepted practice that investigations of this nature should be funded by the applicable organ of state, I am of the opinion that the astronomical costs associated with the investigation will make absolutely no economic sense for the people of Nelson Mandela Bay,” Odendaal wrote.

A part of the investigation will include the procurement of goods, work by the institution in relation to the funeral, and all payments made.

It will also probe any related unauthorised, irregular and fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred.

The investigation is expected to be completed by June.

Odendaal wrote that the intention of the letter was not to attack or curtail the SIU’s mandate in carrying out the probe.

“The sole intention of my correspondence is to en-

‘I implore you to seek ways and means to reduce the cost implications’ Retief Odendaal

DA COUNCILLOR IN BAY

deavour to curtail excessive expenditure within a municipality with severe financial constraints.

“Whilst I accept the financial considerations should never be the only determining factor in these types of investigations, I would implore you to seek ways and means to endeavour to reduce the cost implications for the city in this regard if at all possible,” Odendaal wrote.

SIU spokesperson Nazreen Pandor confirmed the unit had received the letter and said it would only be able to comment in 48 hours.

“The letter has been referred to the office of the head of the unit, Advocate Mothibi.”