Corruption suspect still in municipality’s employ

A former supplier to the Randfontein Municipality expressed her dismay because a hearing has been postponed for over a year – a hearing that could solve the problem of alleged corruption among municipality employees.

In December 2012 the supplier provided the municipality with goods but they allegedly failed to pay the money into her account the next day. She immediately contacted them and was told the money had been paid into the wrong account. She also claims she did not receive an invoice as per normal procedure.

On the same day the employee told her to wait for him and he allegedly brought her R10 000 in cash. This amount was R4 400 short and upon questioning this she was told she would receive the balance in due course.

She went to the municipality to tell her story to the person in charge. Two employees were called in and it was revealed that her money had been paid into one of their accounts, but under a company name. She then gave them back the R10 000, saying she wanted the full amount. The employees were told to pay her the full amount all at once. When they left the office the employee asked her if she was trying to get him fired.

The employee then dropped off the money near the supplier’s house, allegedly giving her R14 000. She asked him where the other R400 was. He then allegedly opened his wallet and gave her the R400.

He allegedly told her, “You will never supply this municipality with goods again”.

The supplier claims she followed all the channels to report the suspected corruption and handed in all proof and documentation on 7 March last year. Since then she has been waiting for the hearing and her attempts to get more information on this case allegedly were ignored.

The fact that these employees are still in their capacity at the municipality is of great concern to the former supplier.

Refentse Mangope, spokesperson for the West Rand Municipality commented on the matter saying, “The allegations of corruption against the employee had been brought before the Municipal Manager in March 2014.

“We wish to indicate the disciplinary hearing is still on, however, the case was delayed due to the unfortunate passing of a key witness, whom we understand was a supplier. Due to these challenges, we have referred the matter to a bargaining council for a decision and unfortunately we cannot divulge the details of the case as the employee is still employed by the Municipality in the Supply Chain Management section.”

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