By Obakeng Maje

Potchefstroom-The DA yesterday laid charges against Tlokwe Executive Mayor Maphetle Maphetle and others at the Potchefstroom SAPS charge office. 

The charges were based on findings from a forensic investigation requested by the DA during our time in charge of Tlokwe.

“The report found the council irregularly bought a R736 000 customized Mercedes Benz for Mayor Maphetle. It recommends the formal disciplinary action against the mayor and officials” Chris Hattingh said.

Hattingh said further abuse of the Disaster Management Fund and Poverty Relief fund by Mayor Maphetle are also documented by forensic auditors.

“Many of charges were used by the ANC in their no confidence motion in their own Mayor, before the party voted him back into office this year regardless” said DA.

“At this stage only six of the original 16 allegations were investigated by the Forensic Auditors – the outcome is overwhelmingly sufficient to proceed with criminal charges. It is an obligation in terms  of Section 34 (1) of the Prevention and Combatting of Corrupt Activities Act. (1)  to report criminal activities as listed in the document” Hattingh said.

North West SAPS in Potchefstroom confirmed that DA’s Chris Hattingh opened a fraud and money laundering.

“We can confirm that Democratic Alliance’s leader Chris Hattingh came to Potchefstroom Police Station and launched a case of fraud and money laundering against Tlokwe mayor Maphehle Maphehle” Potchefstroom Police Station spokesperson said.

“It has become clear that the ANC Tlokwe Council does not have the political will to pursue these findings any further” outlines Hattingh.

Arguments in the Council, such as “there was not an (ANC)  mandate to proceed with the investigation” and the failure to discuss the report in an open council is indicative of the ANC strategy not to go public on issues where deployed ANC cadres are implicated in corruption said DA.

The DA said this strategy makes a mockery of the frequent anti-fraud-and-corruption utterances in the North West Province. It is clear that the ANC is not pepared to walk its anti-corruption talk.

ANC North West said they will support any investigations and they adhere to their mandate.

“Any member of the party who is involved in any corruption, will face the wrath of the party. Uprooting corruption is our mandate and we welcome investigations against mr Maphehle” ANC Gordon Kegakilwe said.

The DA handed to the SAPS sufficient documentation to support the charges and will attentively follow the progress of this case.

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