Municipal official to sue over fraud claims
THE HOUSING Land Use manager at Magareng Municipality, Milton Namelang, is in the process of taking legal steps against a DA councillor, where damages sought are believed to amount to R2 million.
This follows a live radio broadcast, where Namelang claimed that he was accused of receiving kickbacks from a housing construction company to build his house, which is valued at about R490 000.
The multimillion-rand housing project in Ikhutseng was halted due to non-performance of the contractor who was ordered off the site in 2014.
The houses were left incomplete, where there were no roofs and windows and some only had foundations laid.
Namelang apparently fears for his safety and is worried that protesters may burn down his house.
His legal representative confirmed that his client had approached him yesterday to charge the councillor for defamation of character.
He added that he was not at liberty to disclose the amount of the damages.
Namelang did not wish to elaborate on the issue when approached for comment, except to deny the accusations that were made against him.
“Very serious allegations were made against me.”
Magareng DA councillor and secretary of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (Mpac), Jan Louw, who was interviewed during the radio broadcast, denied that he had made any allegations of fraud against Namelang.
“I only made mention of petrol slips, food and alcohol that were allegedly paid as kickbacks by the housing contractor. I did not make any allegations regarding the construction of his house,” said Louw.
He added that Namelang would be summonsed to appear before a Mpac meeting on Monday to account for the failed Ikhutseng housing project.
“He must explain to the committee how funds were spent, where over R13 million was allocated. The houses were never completed and a new contractor has since been appointed to repair the houses. This has created a backlog where only 180 houses will be handed over to beneficiaries in 2018.”
Louw stated that he had handed in evidence regarding the alleged kickbacks to Namelang to the Mpac meeting but that no disciplinary action had been taken against him.
He had requested that a lifestyle audit into Namelang’s financial affairs be conducted.
“Namelang was appointed to oversee the housing project.”
Spokesman for Magareng Municipality, Thapelo Jacobs, stated that the municipality could not institute disciplinary action against any employee without the necessary evidence.
“The municipality cannot comment on the legal process that Namelang is intending to pursue because he will be doing so in his personal capacity. If he feels unsafe due to allegations levelled against it, he should approach the law enforcement agencies.”
He added that Mpac would decide if any remedial steps would be taken.
“Therefore no lifestyle audit will be conducted on Namelang before a disciplinary process has been instituted against him. The municipality adheres to the principle of innocent until proven otherwise.”
Jacobs explained that the housing project contract with Refela Construction had been terminated a long time ago.
“Motheo Construction was appointed to build 100 houses which have been completed. Currently the department has appointed a service provider to address the incomplete houses.”