UPDATE: COJ starts asking questions on how they spent R80million in two weeks
JOBURG – COJ's 2019/20 audit report showed that there was a lack of consequence management for financial misconduct within the City over the last financial years.’
City council commits itself to acting on the irregularities emanating from internal audit findings.
The Office of the Acting-Executive Mayor Mpho Moerane (Executive Mayor Geoffrey Makhubo was away on leave at this time) addressed enquiries relating to a leaked internal audit report of procurement within the City from 15–31 March 2020. According to Moerane’s statement, those involved in having the City spend R80 million in two weeks will face the necessary consequences. “As the government of local unity we will spare no effort in acting against maladministration, corruption and fraud. Once the report is finalised and presented, residents and ratepayers can rest assured that we will take action against any persons found to have contravened the policies and processes that govern procurement in the City.”
In addition to this the City has also shared with Council the detailed reports on procurement and expenditure related to Covid-19. Moerane added, “The report will be shared with the Auditor-General and with law enforcement agencies should there be evidence of malfeasance and criminality. It is also our commitment to share such information with Council, as has been practice with all matters relating to Covid-19 and related procurement.” City spokesperson Nathatisi Modingoane stated that implicated officials will only face disciplinary action once a final, forensic audit has been completed.
On 10 September civil rights organization AfriForum laid criminal charges of corruption against the City of Johannesburg and relevant suppliers. A statement from the organisation read, ‘These complaints follow after an internal audit report of this City council was sent to AfriForum’s private prosecution unit.’ The audit suggested that various laws and regulations were grossly violated during this time. Head of AfriForum’s Anti-Corruption Unit Monique Taute explained, “It is astonishing that the City of Johannesburg, despite this prima facie evidence, has not yet taken any criminal action against these individuals, as well as implicated parties in the City council.”
The Auditor-General, in the 2019/20 audit report, decried the lack of consequence management for financial misconduct within the City over the last financial years. Executive Mayor Makhubo has once again committed the City to adhering to strict supply chain management process in the wake of the pandemic and that any irregularities would be investigated and acted upon.
