Buffalo City Metro bosses have expressed concern over the slow pace of the disciplinary hearing into suspended city boss Andile Fani’s behaviour, saying it was “costly” to the metro.
Fani was suspended nine months ago on charges related to millions of rands in unauthorised expenditure and financial misconduct.
Speaking at the East London City Hall ahead of his second and last state of the metro address in Abbotsford yesterday, executive mayor Alfred Mtsi said the metro was concerned about the cost implications associated with Fani’s suspension, and it would be in the city’s best interests that the case be concluded “soon”.
He said the metro’s hands were tied in trying to fast-track the process, as its completion was beyond their control.
According to acting city manager Nceba Ncunyana, Fani’s disciplinary process was being handled by an external firm and therefore the metro had no way of overseeing the process.
He said he hoped the matter would be concluded before August.
Mtsi said the duty of the council was to act “once the allegations had been levelled against Mr Fani, like we are supposed to do when such happens to any other official in our employ”.
“The role of the municipality here was to only ensure that appropriate processes were being followed in dealing with the matter – which is what we did,” said Mtsi.
He said there had been a number of “hindrances” that delayed Fani’s disciplinary process but did not say what those hindrances were.
“It is not a question of us being reckless or negligent about the cost implications … but that the speedy resolution of this matter is just beyond our control,” Mtsi said.
Fani was suspended last September amid allegations of financial misconduct relating to various multi-million rand contracts awarded by the city under his guard. In March this year, further charges were laid against him over R450-million irregular expenditure incurred by the city.
The Saturday Dispatch last week reported that the council had resolved to add more charges against him in relation to four “dodgy” multimillion-rand tenders.
He could not be reached for comment yesterday but Fani has previously denied the charges, saying the city kept adding more charges while even the first charges were a “hurdle they can’t get over”.
“I have been suspended for nine months now and if I was really guilty, this case would have been finished by now, but they keep on adding these charges,” said Fani at the time.
Concerns over costly delays in Fani’s disciplinary hearing
Buffalo City Metro bosses have expressed concern over the slow pace of the disciplinary hearing into suspended city boss Andile Fani’s behaviour, saying it was “costly” to the metro.
Fani was suspended nine months ago on charges related to millions of rands in unauthorised expenditure and financial misconduct.
Speaking at the East London City Hall ahead of his second and last state of the metro address in Abbotsford yesterday, executive mayor Alfred Mtsi said the metro was concerned about the cost implications associated with Fani’s suspension, and it would be in the city’s best interests that the case be concluded “soon”.
He said the metro’s hands were tied in trying to fast-track the process, as its completion was beyond their control.
According to acting city manager Nceba Ncunyana, Fani’s disciplinary process was being handled by an external firm and therefore the metro had no way of overseeing the process.
He said he hoped the matter would be concluded before August.
Mtsi said the duty of the council was to act “once the allegations had been levelled against Mr Fani, like we are supposed to do when such happens to any other official in our employ”.
“The role of the municipality here was to only ensure that appropriate processes were being followed in dealing with the matter – which is what we did,” said Mtsi.
He said there had been a number of “hindrances” that delayed Fani’s disciplinary process but did not say what those hindrances were.
“It is not a question of us being reckless or negligent about the cost implications … but that the speedy resolution of this matter is just beyond our control,” Mtsi said.
Fani was suspended last September amid allegations of financial misconduct relating to various multi-million rand contracts awarded by the city under his guard. In March this year, further charges were laid against him over R450-million irregular expenditure incurred by the city.
The Saturday Dispatch last week reported that the council had resolved to add more charges against him in relation to four “dodgy” multimillion-rand tenders.
He could not be reached for comment yesterday but Fani has previously denied the charges, saying the city kept adding more charges while even the first charges were a “hurdle they can’t get over”.
“I have been suspended for nine months now and if I was really guilty, this case would have been finished by now, but they keep on adding these charges,” said Fani at the time.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos