Forensic report implicates Vhembe mayor, CFO
The Vhembe mayor and the acting CFO have been implicated in financial irregularities at the municipality
LIMPOPO – The Vhembe mayor, Tshitereke Matibe and the acting CFO, Lindelani Muthivhi have been implicated in financial irregularities at the municipality, said the DA in a media statement on Tuesday.
According to the DA, the forensic report, which they have in their possession, implicates Matibe in alleged fraud and the looting of funds amounting to millions of rands.
“Matibe and Muthivhi are alleged to be co-conspirators in a plan to loot public money behind the municipal manager’s back,” said Jacques Smalle, the DA Limpopo leader.
“The report shows that Tshitereke illegally obtained bridging finance on an agreement worth R6 million between the municipality and VBS Mutual Bank. Meanwhile, the CFO has been authorising and permitting payments to be made without valid contracts or service level agreements. At least 22 companies have illegally benefited from this these acts of fraud.”
Further irregularities that were identified on the part of the CFO include:
• Late payment of salaries to officials.
• A pre-paid water meter tender scandal.
• A short-term insurance tender scandal.
• Vehicle rental contract scandals.
• Payment on numerous contracts without signed authority.
“For five years, the municipality has obtained disclaimer opinions from the auditor-general and continues to fail people on the ground, who remain in poverty and remain unemployed, with non-existent services and no hope for a better future. The fraudulent misappropriation of money in Vhembe explains why people are forced to live lives of poverty on the ground.”
The DA will also look to lay criminal charges against Matibe and Muthivhi for their involvement in any violations of Municipal Finance Management Act, said Smalle.
