The SAPS Special Investigation Unit (SIU) is now probing Ekurhuleni Metro Municipality for an alleged irregular tender awarded in 2011 to do the metro’s institutional review for the human resources department.
This was after the Independent Ratepayers’ Association (Irasa) Ekurhuleni councillor, Izak Berg asked questions about the R32-million tender awarded to Qbit, a systemic business solutions company.
Qbit was appointed in the 2011/2012 financial year to conduct the metro’s institutional review and allegedly paid for work not done, according to Berg.
He reacted to the DA’s call of no confidence and its request that mayor Mondli Gungubele place city manager, Khaya Ngema on suspension until the findings of the SIU investigation into the irregular awarding of the tender are made known.
Berg felt the DA is “misinformed and confused”, as a call for a vote of no confidence can only be done against a politician.
“You deal with officials differently. I will deal with the matter in the correct way at this today’s special council meeting,” said Berg.
Fortune Mahano, the DA’s caucus leader says if Ngema is found guilty, he should be held personally liable for the public money he has allegedly misappropriated.
He said there was an item before council in January 2013, implicating Ngema in irregularly awarding this tender to Qbit.
“At the time, it was a resolution of council that the item be referred to the SIU for investigation, as the tender deviated drastically from both the Municipal Finance Management Act and the metro’s supply chain management policies,” said Mahano.
Mahano says referring the irregularity to the SIU was never done and seven months later, at the July council meeting an external report compiled by Gobodo Forensic Investigative Accounting was tabled.
This was the first time these investigators surfaced.
“Before the report saw the light of day, the ANC caucus withdrew the item, claiming it was doing so on a technicality,” says Mahano.
Zweli Dlamini, mayoral spokesman confirmed Ekurhuleni has referred the issue of the alleged irregular appointment of Qbit to the SIU.
“As a municipality we are deeply concerned about the allegations, which we view to be very serious.
“It is for this reason that we have decided to rope in the SIU to assist us to get to the bottom of this matter.
“Our view is that the completion and the outcome of the SIU investigation will assist us determine the way forward regarding the matter.
“We also wish to make it clear that people cited for any wrongdoing will have to face the consequences in terms of the law,” says Dlamini.
“In the meantime I wish to appeal to people to refrain from making any unfounded insinuations against any person nor speculate about the outcome of the investigations,” he warned.
