Graft probe at Umgeni Water

A SENIOR Umgeni Water, chief executive Cyril Gamede, has been issued with a precautionary suspension notice pending investigations into allegations of tender corruption.

The precautionary suspension of Gamede follows an investigation launched after an anonymous e-mail, in which the writer identifying himself as a long-standing Umgeni Water employee accused Gamede of corruption.

The employee demanded an independent forensic investigation, alleging that the organisation was “in crisis” and that he was concerned that Gamede had been allegedly “running down” the organisation with his “corrupt conduct and behaviour”.

He alleged that he and staff had abused their positions to secure jobs for friends and tenders worth millions of rand, and that Gamede had allowed work to overrun project costs and completion deadlines without penalising contractors. The e-mail was circulated to the Minister of Water and Sanitation, Nomvula Mokonyane, the National Prosecuting Authority’s Shaun Abrahams, the police and KZN Premier Willies Mchunu’s office, among others.

Procedure

Umgeni Water spokesperson Shami Harichunder confirmed yesterday that Gamede had been handed a letter of precautionary suspension on Tuesday, which was standard procedure pending an investigation.

“The board handed a letter of precautionary suspension with the intention to ensure the investigation is conducted unhindered,” he said.

He added that the decision to investigate was a reflection of Umgeni Water’s commitment to transparency, and to test the veracity of the allegations.

“This is an independent investigation to ensure it is conducted as quickly and practically as possible so that the board can make decisions,” Harichunder said.

“We respect all individuals named in the e-mail. The rights of South Africans are protected in the law, one is innocent until proven guilty,” he said.

Umgeni Water board chairman, Andile Mahlalutye, said the board had held a lengthy discussion about the matter before issuing the letter.

“Various external chartered accounting and auditing firms have been requested to provide proposals for the investigation. The board of Umgeni Water is expected to appoint the firm by the close of business tomorrow (today),” Mahlalutye said.

“I would like to assure all our stakeholders that Umgeni Water remains focused on its mandate of providing bulk portable water to all its customers.

“We have a competent executive management team that is making sure we meet our objectives,” Mahlalutye said.

Board member Visvin Reddy said Gamede was not guilty until he had been proven to be so in court.

“We as the board are against any corruption, and if these things are reported we will act and investigate to get to the bottom of it. Umgeni Water is one of the stateowned enterprises in the country that has always run a clean operation,” Reddy said.

Several attempts to contact Gamede on his cellphone for comment were unsuccessful yesterday.