AN EASTERN Cape mayor is being investigated by provincial government for using public funds to pay for a trip for herself, child and two bodyguards to a Johannesburg school.The Daily Dispatch has seen a copy of the terms of reference of the investigation by the department of corporative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) into OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth’s alleged financial misconduct.
The document was signed by Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa on June 3.
The investigation was confirmed by Cogta superintendent-general Stanley Khanyile yesterday.
Included in the investigation is the issue of staff appointments, including that of Meth’s former lecturer at the University of Fort Hare, Henry Ssekibuule, as her chief research and policy analyst, chief of staff Nolufefe Mbatani and the manager for people’s participation.
The report states the reason for the probe was to ensure compliance with “council approved recruitment and selection policies” for the appointments and to look at whether or not there was a budget for the three appointments.
She is also being investigated for alleged credit card abuse and breach of a national treasury circular on catering expenditure during former state president Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
Meth’s office used more than R400 000 on food and water during the period leading up to the funeral and on the day of the funeral.
Her office bought bottled water despite the fact the department of water affairs had provided bottled water.
The report states the investigating team will probe alleged entertaining and catering of more than 100 people at Mike’s Kitchen in Mthatha.
Meth allegedly entertained leaders at the restaurant a few days before the funeral. Her alleged misuse of a municipal vehicle will also go under the spotlight.
Meth is currently using a Mercedes-Benz ML which was bought for her office when she was council speaker.
By law the vehicle was bought for the speaker’s office and therefore should remain with the current speaker and not be used as a mayoral vehicle.
The investigating team will report to the department within 14 days of completion of the probe.
Meth told the Dispatch: “What I know is there are people who have called you from my institution to give you information about me.
“Whenever you call me you already have information from the people you are working with in that institution and you will not change it even if I tell you what has happened. I therefore choose not to comment.”
Mbatani was unavailable for comment.
Khanyile said: “There is an investigation we started as the department. There are issues around the procedure followed, we are currently dealing with that.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
EC Mayor accused of financial misconduct - Bhisho to investigate
The Daily Dispatch has seen a copy of the terms of reference of the investigation by the department of corporative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) into OR Tambo mayor Nomakhosazana Meth’s alleged financial misconduct.
The document was signed by Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa on June 3.
The investigation was confirmed by Cogta superintendent-general Stanley Khanyile yesterday.
Included in the investigation is the issue of staff appointments, including that of Meth’s former lecturer at the University of Fort Hare, Henry Ssekibuule, as her chief research and policy analyst, chief of staff Nolufefe Mbatani and the manager for people’s participation.
The report states the reason for the probe was to ensure compliance with “council approved recruitment and selection policies” for the appointments and to look at whether or not there was a budget for the three appointments.
She is also being investigated for alleged credit card abuse and breach of a national treasury circular on catering expenditure during former state president Nelson Mandela’s funeral.
Meth’s office used more than R400 000 on food and water during the period leading up to the funeral and on the day of the funeral.
Her office bought bottled water despite the fact the department of water affairs had provided bottled water.
The report states the investigating team will probe alleged entertaining and catering of more than 100 people at Mike’s Kitchen in Mthatha.
Meth allegedly entertained leaders at the restaurant a few days before the funeral. Her alleged misuse of a municipal vehicle will also go under the spotlight.
Meth is currently using a Mercedes-Benz ML which was bought for her office when she was council speaker.
By law the vehicle was bought for the speaker’s office and therefore should remain with the current speaker and not be used as a mayoral vehicle.
The investigating team will report to the department within 14 days of completion of the probe.
Meth told the Dispatch: “What I know is there are people who have called you from my institution to give you information about me.
“Whenever you call me you already have information from the people you are working with in that institution and you will not change it even if I tell you what has happened. I therefore choose not to comment.”
Mbatani was unavailable for comment.
Khanyile said: “There is an investigation we started as the department. There are issues around the procedure followed, we are currently dealing with that.” — abongilem@dispatch.co.za
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