Public protector Thuli Madonsela has extended her probe into the Nelson Mandela funeral funds saga to include Nelson Mandela Bay.
Her team is currently in the metro investigating how the money was spent.
This, after the municipality spent R1.85-million on T-shirts and catering for the former statesman’s provincial memorial service in 2013.
The irregular spending occurred even though the national Treasury made it clear at the time that the costs associated with the memorial services should not include T-shirts and catering.
The municipality spent R6.23-million from its coffers to fund the provincial memorial service which was held at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
At a municipal public accounts committee (MPAC) meeting yesterday, city manager Mpilo Mbambisa said the public protector’s team was in the Bay investigating how the money was spent.
The Daily Dispatch reported last week that senior Eastern Cape politicians and government officials had been subpoenaed by Madonsela to answer questions on the funeral funding scandal.
This, as they allegedly failed to appear voluntarily before investigators.
For months, the focus has been on Buffalo City Metro, the Eastern Cape Development Corporation, Eastern Cape provincial government and King Sabata Dalindyebo Municipality.
In a report by chief financial officer Trevor Harper to the MPAC, he wrote: “The arrangements for the memorial service were conducted by the mayor’s office.
“The council approved a budget of R6-million with the final expenditure being R6.29-million.
ANC councillor Ncediso Captain wanted to know why the budget had been exceeded.
COPE caucus leader, councillor Khwezi Ntshanyana said the committee had to get a full report and breakdown of how the money was spent.
ANC councillor Marian Harning said the matter had to be handled sensitively, mindful of cultural differences.
“We must not look at this in a eurocentric way. We must be sensitive when it comes to looking at burials and memorials,” Harning said. — dekockr@timesmedia.co.za