The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is calling for the immediate suspension of the Sedibeng Municipal Manager, Stanley Khanyile pending the outcome of his court case.
The DA says in a media release it has noted that Khanyile was arrested last week Thursday for fraud, theft, and money laundering worth more than R29 million which was allegedly committed in the Eastern Cape where he was the Head of Department for the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development.
Khanyile and his accomplices appeared at King William Town’s Magistrate Court last week Friday. He has been charged with two counts of contravening the Public Finance Management Act and two counts of fraud. Khanyile was released on R50 000 bail and the case was postponed to 16 October.
“It is worrying that the Sedibeng District Municipality hired Khanyile while knowing that there were investigations initiated against him by his previous employers,” says Kingsol Chabalala, DA Constituency Head for Emfuleni North.
“According to the former Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Uhuru Moiloa, the Sedibeng District Municipality was aware of the following investigations against Khanyile:Investigation against Khanyile in 2002 when he was employed at the City of Ekurhuleni
Allegations of sexual harassment against Khanyile when he was employed in the Eastern Cape Department of Social Development and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
However, MEC Moiloa stated that both the Sedibeng District Municipality and Khanyile were not aware of any investigations of fraud and corruption by the Hawks against him.
“MEC Moiloa was responding to the DA’s written questions tabled in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in 2018.This clearly indicates that the municipality did not do a background check before appointing Khanyile or they were aware of these investigations and decided to shield their comrade,” says Chabalala.
Vhabalala says it is also concerning that Khanyile managed to move between different municipalities and provinces governed by the ANC despite all these investigations and serious allegations against him, yet he remains the preferred candidate for top senior positions.
“The allegations against Khanyile are serious and he must not continue as an accounting officer for this municipality until all the charges against him are cleared. The DA calls on the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lebogang Maile to intervene and ensure that Khanyile is suspended pending the outcome of his court case.”
