More charges could be brought against BCM'S suspended head of ICT

Additional charges could be preferred against suspended BCM head of ICT, Jongikhaya Stuurman, if a confidential report tabled at a recent council meeting is anything to go by.

The report was signed by city manager Andile Sihlahla in response to queries raised by councillors about the progress in the Stuurman case.

Stuurman was suspended in 2018 after serious allegations of financial misconduct.

“A forensic investigation is now under way and disciplinary proceedings against the employee are pending.

“The nature of the charges brought against the head of ICT has required a thorough investigation of his role in relation to the procurement of goods and services for the fibre network project.

“In turn, this has resulted in the realisation that the extent of possible irregular, unauthorised or fruitless and wasteful expenditure could be wider that initially supposed.

“More particularly, it appears that numerous transactions were unlawfully approved during the 2017-18 and 2018-19 financial years such that the true source of the funds used and the actual cost to the municipality were concealed or not disclosed,” reads the report. “To substantiate the charges brought against the suspended employee, it will be essential to have a reliable body of evidence to present to the presiding officer [of the disciplinary process].

“In the main, the evidence comprises source documents for various components of the supply chain, from the underlying service level agreements and appointment letters [if any], to requests and order forms, delivery notes, tax invoices, payment requisitions and authorisations, and proof of payment.

“It is anticipated that a substantial volume of evidence will eventually be produced, requiring the testimony of officials in both budget and treasury and supply chain management respectively. “It is expected that the forensic investigation will not be completed before September 30. However, it is possible that a preliminary report will be made available before then,” Sihlahla said in the report.

It is not clear how much was involved in the irregularities Stuurman is alleged to be involved in.

Metro spokesperson Samkelo Ngwenya said he could not discuss internal disciplinary matters with the media.

He said it was of great concern that a confidential orange marked agenda item had ended up in the public domain.

“We will therefore not be commenting on this matter in line with our policies,” he said.

Stuurman was suspended with full pay, and is believed to be earning about R80,000 a month.

After his suspension, Stuurman lodged a dispute with the CCMA and the SA Local Government Bargaining Council.

Sihlahla said the disciplinary hearing could not proceed further until the disputes had been finalised.

“The issues for determination are: alleged unfair suspension; the holding of a pre-hearing conference in the employee’s absence while he was on sick leave; the municipality’s employment of legal representatives to handle the employee’s disciplinary proceedings and the alleged failure of the municipality to appear at the conciliation meeting scheduled for February 5 2021.”

He said among the challenges faced by the metro were the undue delay perpetuated by Stuurman to evade the disciplinary process, and the legal costs implications including the salary paid to the suspended employee.

On Tuesday, Stuurman said there was no substance to the allegations regarding his suspension.

“I do not know where this allegation is coming from. I am not delaying anything, it is them that keep on postponing the hearing and there’s nothing I can do about it,” he said.