SIU, Hawks and PP probe Sol Plaatje payments
THE SPECIAL Investigating Unit (SIU), the Hawks and the Public Protector have confirmed that complaints were registered regarding allegations of improper conduct and maladministration relating to payments that were made by Sol Plaatje Municipality to two companies.
It is alleged that non-performing service providers that were behind schedule and had failed to make progress on site, were paid large sums of money while cession agreements were entered into with new companies, against legal advice.
The companies were awarded multimillion-rand tenders to upgrade the Eagle Street pump station in Roodepan, as well as a water and infrastructure and electrification project in Lerato Park.
It was advised that emergency tenders be advertised to address sewage spillages.
It is also alleged that service providers were paid despite them not being tax compliant, that supply chain management processes were flouted and contract prices were inflated.
A complaint was filed by the local economic development manager and acting executive director for infrastructure and services, Phetolo Sithole, of victimisation, disrespect and potential blackmail or extortion against his employer.
It is believed that he was also threatened that “he would be dealt with by high-ranking politicians” when he refused to process payments to certain service providers.
It is further alleged that Sithole was threatened that he would be charged for the irregular appointment of the tourism manager, if he did not decline the position of acting director of infrastructure and services and that he was merely being used as "a toy and a pawn".
Public Protector Northern Cape provincial representative Mlungisi Khaya stated that an anonymous complaint was received by their office on April 11.
“During the assessment of the complaint, it was established that there was additional information that was still outstanding to enable our office to register a complaint. An inquiry was then registered to enable our office to conduct a preliminary investigation,” said Khaya.
He indicated that the complaint related to allegations of improper conduct and maladministration relating to irregular processing and payment of money by Sol Plaatje Municipality to service providers that were alleged to be in contravention of Circular
120 of National Treasury, August 2022 relating to cession and assignment of contracts.
“Our office is currently conducting a preliminary investigation to determine the veracity of the allegations by the complainant.”
Khaya indicated that the investigation was in its initial stages.
“It is expected to take at least six months to complete, depending on the co-operation of the affected parties. Due to the seriousness of the allegations, our office will prioritise the investigation in order to get to the bottom of all the issues raised in the complaint.”
Head of stakeholder relations and communications at the SIU, Kaizer Kganyago, confirmed that a matter was reported and registered at their case assessment office.
“We are currently collecting further evidence/documentation to make a recommendation to the case assessment committee to motivate for a proclamation,” said Kganyago.
Hawks provincial spokesperson Captain Tebogo Thebe added that investigations were ongoing.
Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala stated that he was not aware of any complaints that were lodged with the Hawks, SIU or Public Protector.
"Why do these allegations arise following the suspension of the local economic development manager Phetolo Sithole? Internal processes should be followed,” said Matlala. “I am more than willing to co-operate with the authorities, there is nothing to hide. It would be premature to respond to any matter that would be under investigation by law enforcement agencies or may lead to litigation."
Matlala admitted that the allegations had been brought to his attention prior to Sithole’s suspension.
"We knew about these allegations and are attending to it. If there is wrongdoing, I will act."