Alleged corruption and bribery surfaces

Residents of Elmtree recently alleged that their councillor attempted to bribe them for employment opportunities.

The South African National Road Agency (SANRAL) invested in a project to build the R23 road.

The project was aimed at benefiting the communities in rural areas along the R23 by giving them employment.

Committees were chosen to steer and oversee that deserving people get employed.

The project is not benefiting its intended beneficiaries due to alleged corruption.

The South African Communist Party (SACP) wanted to march on 5 March to hand over a memorandum to the Lekwa Municipality.

They were not given permission and decided to hold a meeting on 9 March to discuss these issues with the ward councillor, Mr Mandla Tshabalala.

The community claimed that Mr Sizwe Sibeko, the community liaison officer of the project, demanded bribes to give people employment.

“People in rural areas were supposed to be employed in this project, but instead people from Sakhile were given the jobs,” Mr Bongani Ndhlebe, chairman of the SACP: Ward 9, said.

People who were asked for bribes were asked to come forward and identify the culprits.

The community identified the councillor as being involved.

“Mr Sibeko said he is not going to hire me in the project because I do not have an ANC card,” Ms Ntombufuthi Shabalala, a resident, said.

Another resident, Mr May Mpila, said he went to the councillor for help after he was fired from work and Mr Sibeko was with him at the time.

“Mr Sibeko asked for R1 500 and said he would give me employment and the councillor did not object.”

The councillor denied the allegations and said he never demanded money in exchange for employment.

The local people wanted Mr Sibeko to be fired and a new community liaison officer to be appointed.

They said they wanted someone from the area, who understands their problems.

The councillor agreed with the community and told them that all the committees must be reelected so that things can begin afresh.