DURBAN - Confronted with numerous allegations of fraud, corruption, and maladministration, the Newcastle Local Municipality has admitted that it failed to investigate senior officials alleged to have committed serious offences.
It is alleged that on January 4, a whistle-blower brought to the attention of the municipality allegations of fraud, corruption, and maladministration against senior officials.
Acting Municipal Manager Zamani Mcineka said the municipality’s effort to deal with the matter efficiently was hindered by the Constitutional Court judgment, Case CCT 279/20, and the National Treasury directive.
“As the acting accounting officer, I submitted the information to the executive committee on February 22, and to the council on February 25. The council resolved that a comprehensive forensic investigation be undertaken by the municipality,” Mcineka said.
“However, our effort to deal with the matter efficiently has been inhibited by the Constitutional Court judgment, Case CCT 279/20, and the National Treasury directive to not proceed with procurement processes until further notice,” Mcineka said.
In the whistle-blower’s letter to the municipality, it is alleged that Vish Govender, the strategic executive director of Community Services, was irregularly appointed to the position without qualifications; there was no vetting process and that he did not write any competency test.
The whistle-blower also informed the municipality in a separate letter, that he/she was also an employee at the municipality and that there was a security threat involving certain senior officials who were being targeted by Govender. He/she said Govender was feared by many officials, and measures should be taken to protect their lives.
In response, Mcineka said he was not in a position to respond to the allegations against his colleague, and that the matter would be dealt with as part of the forensic investigation.
“With regard to the investigation of allegations against Mr Govender, the council did sit on February 25, and resolved on the way forward in this regard. I am not in a position to respond to the allegation that he is influential and feared. I do not know that.
“With regard to the allegations that there are security threats against the mayor and the municipal manager, such threats cannot be ruled out. The very nature of the positions they occupy exposes them to such risk.
“However, councillors and some senior officials, and in light of the recent loss of life of former Speaker of Amajuba District Municipality, who was a councillor in Newcastle Municipality, there is no way that there could be no fear or potential security threat,” said Mcineka.
Despite several attempts to get comment from Govender, he did not reply to written questions sent to him a week ago. Phone calls and WhatsApp messages went unanswered.
After the council appointed Mcineka as acting municipal manager, Govender went back to his position of executive director of community services.
On Monday last week, the deputy mayor of Newcastle Local Municipality, Musa “Sugar” Thwala, was targeted at his home by alleged hitmen. In an exchange of gunfire, one of his bodyguards was shot dead and one attacker wounded.
Mcineka said threats to municipal officials were caused by the whistle-blower’s letter. “We rely on the security agents of the state to investigate the crime committed and security threats directed at councillors and officials.”
Following last week’s shooting, police spokesperson Brigadier Jay Naicker said: “The motive for the attack is unknown at this stage. Police at Newcastle are investigating the incident.”
Daily News