Millions allegedly missing from KSD’s coffers will be the topic of a probe for “maladministration, fraud, and corruption” at the municipality.
Co-operative governance MEC Fikile Xasa has written to KSD mayor Dumani Zozo with the decision.
The municipality’s two labour unions, Samwu and Imatu, both say R65m has gone missing.
The investigators’ deadline is February 28.
The inquiry was confirmed by Cogta spokesperson Mamnkeli Ngam, who said it would test the depth of the allegations, which were threatening the stability of KSD.
On Wednesday, KSD spokesperson Sonwabo Mampoza said they welcomed the probe.
“According to the Municipal Systems Act, transparency is one of the most fundamental requirements in the running of local municipalities.
“We therefore welcome the investigation.”
Xasa writes: “Subsequent to the receipt of communication regarding various municipal staff grievances which stem from serious allegations of maladministration, fraud and corruption, nepotism and other irregularities which are said to been raised with municipal leadership over a longer period and are now threatening the stability of the municipality, I have decided to institute a formal investigation on (sic) these allegations.
“It is the view of my office that the nature of the allegations raised against the municipality warrant a formal investigation.
“As the MEC for Cogta, I have in terms of section106 (1)(b) of the Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000 established a team to conduct investigations into these allegations.”
The Dispatch reported earlier that Xasa sent a team of officials to “listen” to grievances at KSD, including the claims made by Samwu and Imatu that at least R65m had been siphoned from municipal coffers.
They alleged it was misused to give irregular “task grade” payouts owed to workers by the municipality since 2009.
In his letter to Zozo, Xasa wrote that the terms of reference for the investigation would include the team conducting interviews with the municipal leadership, both administrative and political, as well as union representatives.
The investigators would be able to call upon anyone else they felt was relevant.
They will analyse all submissions and make findings with recommendations to the MEC.
According to the letter, the investigation was to start on November 30 and end on February 28.
Samwu’s leader in KSD, Lwazi Madyibi, said they felt vindicated by the MEC's decision to establish a full investigation.
“It's what we have been fighting for. We are happy that the investigation will be able to uncover all the things,” he said.
But Madyibi's optimism was not shared by DA councillor Raymond Knock, who ridiculed the fact that government was investigating itself.
He said the DA believed an independent forensic investigation would be needed to uncover the rot.
“As political parties we have been complaining about many things. When you have an internal investigation – the when government is investigating the government – you cannot trust the outcomes,” he said.
UDM councillor Mabandla Gogo said the investigation confirmed what the UDM had been saying for some time. He hoped the investigators would also look at the involvement of politicians in the awarding of tenders to check who benefited, whether directly or indirectly.
“We just hope there will be no political interference.”..