Three separate external investigations will probe allegations of corruption and mismanagement at KwaDukuza municipality (KDM).
The Cooperative Governance department (Cogta) announced a forensic investigation last week, while the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) will conduct a compliance audit next quarter. These add to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe, which has been reviewing three questionable KDM tenders since last month.
Concerns over municipal mismanagement, financial irregularities and service delivery failures have escalated following a leadership crisis last year, an ongoing electricity crisis since December and the embezzlement of R35.7 million in January.
Cogta MEC, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said the investigation will focus on alleged maladministration, fraud, procurement interference and recruitment irregularities at KDM, as well as abuse of municipal assets and political instability. Similar probes are underway in Msunduzi and Nongoma municipalities.
The Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association (Docrra) and the KwaDukuza Democratic Alliance (DA), both of which requested Cogta’s intervention, welcomed the announcement.
“We expect full cooperation from KDM and the implementation of proper consequence management measures,” said Docrra chairperson, Deon Viljoen.
KwaDukuza DA caucus leader, Privi Makhan, echoed the sentiment.
“For over two years, the DA has called for intervention and accountability over irregularities within the municipality. The MEC’s decision is a crucial step forward, reflecting the persistent efforts of civic bodies advocating for transparency and good governance in KwaDukuza,” she said.
Meanwhile, Nersa’s audit – the first at KDM since 2014 – will assess compliance with electricity distribution regulations.
“We are delighted with this news and grateful to Nersa for hearing the cries of our residents,” said Viljoen.
Viljoen said KDM had also committed to fully responding to Docrra’s Promotion of Access to Information Act requests by March 25. The requests were for in-depth logs of maintenance work undertaken on the municipal grid.
Additionally, the SIU is investigating three tenders from 2018 and 2019 for bulk electrical infrastructure and road repairs.
KDM had not responded to requests for comment at the time of publication
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