Video: Red flag raised after dodgy recruitment traffic training programme
The safety and security department afforded the recruits an opportunity to be put through the traffic programme to train and obtain diplomas in being traffic cops
Stop, stop, I am not a speed cop
A week ago 20 newly recruited traffic officers graduated from a traffic course.
What seemed to be a positive accomplishment for Emalahleni Local Municipality has changed into an embarrassing scandal that caused an uproar in local communities.
During the graduating function on Thursday, January 16 the Executive Mayor of Emalahleni Cllr Linah Malatjie said, “Once we’ve taken the opportunity to appoint you as officers of our municipality, you’ll also be given an opportunity to study through the financial schemes or bursaries the municipality is offering, so that you can further empower yourself.”
But the future looks bleak for the graduates as it was discovered that several key role-players in the municipality had a finger in the pie when the graduates were selected.
The spotlight is on four members of the mayoral committee, one official employed in the mayor’s office and a member of the executive council have been said to be close relatives of some of the graduates.
On Monday, January 20 members of the South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) met with Cllr Malatjie, the Speaker Cllr Busi Hlumbane, Chief Whip Cllr Conny Nkalitshana, and Cllr Johannes Matshipa to seek answers.
Mr Bongani Hlophe from Sanco said this slip-up should not be news for the council as they raised their concerns about nepotism and the traffic programme back in November.
“You told us that you will not act on hearsay. Today we present the evidence to you and demand answers,” Hlophe said.
Cllr Malatjie said the programme kicked off in 2018.
The safety and security department afforded the recruits an opportunity to be put through the traffic programme to train and obtain diplomas in being traffic cops.
The course took 10 months.
People with a grade 12, no criminal record and valid driver’s license were invited to apply for the internship. Each successful applicant received a stipend of R1 500 per month.
“We demand that the six people implicated in this scandal be dealt with accordingly. We elect people into public office only to have them turn the municipality into a family gathering. This can not be tolerated,” Hlophe said.
“Nepotism and corruption by high profile ANC members is eating into the core of technically insolvent Emalahleni Local Municipality,” said Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor, Cllr Lizelle Steyn.
She said this is completely unacceptable and intolerable that family members of the ANC politicians have easily benefited from the system while many of the eMalahleni youth remain unemployed.
The DA also submitted questions to the Municipal Manager, Mr Sizwe Mayisela demanding answers to the following: Where and how the funding was made available for these 20 individuals to complete this course and why was this crucial advertisement for training opportunities not made publically advertised as required by Municipal Finance Management Act 56 of 2003 and Municipal Systems Act No 32 of 2000?
“I have requested an immediate investigation into the matter and will present the outcome on Friday, January 24,” Cllr Malatjie said.
The names of the people implicated in the scandal are withheld until the mayor’s report is available.
#Traffic scandal, officers not employed
Traffic officer programme blunder
