POLOKWANE – The city’s municipality is reportedly one of the Limpopo municipalities that are investigated by the public protector, the Hawks and the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), following various complaints.
DA Limpopo leader, Jacques Smalle, says in a press release that 40 cases against 27 municipalities are being investigated.
The press release states that five cases are being investigated against the Polokwane Municipality, while there were two cases each against Giyani, Makhuduthamakga, Vhembe and Thulamela municipalities.
This came to light in a parliamentary reply earlier this year by the national department of cooperative governance and traditional affairs, in answer to the DA’s questions about the state of accountability in municipalities.
“I will write a letter to the department of cooperative governance, human settlements, and traditional affairs (Coghsta), emphasising that these investigations are a sign of an ailing local government that is disintegrating into a state of collapse,” Smalle said.
Coghsta spokesperson, Motopa Selomo, referred Review to the municipal spokesperson for comment on the cases being investigated. Municipal spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo, says according to a report received from their legal section, “the municipality is not aware of any current case that requires representation.”
Hawks spokesperson, Paul Ramaloka, says the Hawks are investigating various municipalities in the province. “We do not want to mention them by name,” he says.
SIU spokesperson, boy Ndala says the SIU received proclamations against the Vhembe and Greater Tubatse municipalities are investigating the matters.
Speaking on behalf of the public protector’s office, Oupa Segalwe says: “As a matter of fact, many municipalities in Limpopo are being investigated by us”, but he cannot name any of them.
