A cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) investigation into the dealings of Emalahleni Local Municipality has found irregular appointment of employees, nepotism, procurement irregularities, irregular expenditure and incomplete infrastructure projects.
This was revealed by Cogta MEC Fikile Xasa when he presented an executive summary of the investigation report in an ordinary council meeting in Cacadu on Friday.
The investigation comes after residents of Dordrecht and Cacadu brought the town to a total shutdown on June 18, citing allegations of nepotism, fraud and corruption.
Xasa sent a team to investigate the allegation but the team was not well-received by the municipality.
Xasa then opted for a formal investigation which saw both the mayor Nomveliso Nyukwana and municipal manager Sithembele Vatala taking three months’ leave each in June and September respectively to allow the investigation to continue.
Xasa said the municipality needs to improve its internal controls, both in finance and human resource processes, to avoid occurrence of irregularities...