Crisis averted as fraudsters fail

ZULULAND District Municipality (ZDM) came close to losing R33-million of taxpayers' money after a botched fraudulent withdrawal attempt in December.

This is according to the municipal manager, Ntokozo Hlongwa, who said the suspicious transaction was stopped by the bank.

Hlongwa was responding to the EFF's allegations that a fraudulent transaction was successful, and said the allegations are false and baseless.

EFF Provincial Spokesperson Mazwi Blose said they are calling for a thorough forensic investigation into the ZDM bank account.

“We note with concern that such a huge amount can miraculously disappear from the municipal account, without anyone noticing it. This is a serious violation of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), and is an indication of serious lack of consequence management with people looting public funds and getting away with murder,” he said.

Blose further called for the removal of ZDM Mayor Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, and claimed the EFF has it on good authority that the IFP is on a mission to abuse municipal funds to fund their manifesto rally which will take place at Moses Mabhida Stadium.

Hlongwa explained that on 27 December, he was alerted by the Absa Anti-Fraud Unit that someone was trying to access the municipal bank account.

“An internal investigation by Absa is under way and a criminal case was opened at Ulundi Police Station. No funds were lost through this incident. We will wait for the final investigation on this matter. The EFF allegations are false and politically juvenile,” he said.

The matter was raised and discussed during the ZDM Council meeting last Monday.