Madibeng – A report on financial irregularities in Madibeng recommends that criminal cases be opened against its municipal manager, and the heads of corporate services and IT, AfriForum said on Thursday.

The document alleged that municipal manager Monde Juta, corporate services head Andrew Modise, and IT head Xola Magwala were at the centre of financial malpractice at the municipality, AfriForum North West organiser Ian Cameron said in a statement.

“We will have to act, because government is still refusing to take steps against the offenders,” he said.

“According to the report, they facilitate and create an environment for corruption to thrive.”

Cameron said AfriForum had decided to make public the report, which was compiled by a task team appointed by Co-operative Governance Minister Richard Baloyi.

This was because council speaker Buti Makhongela had withheld certain information in the report from the rest of the council.

He said AfriForum would ask the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute Makhongela for manipulating the report.

The Madibeng municipality said on Thursday it was not aware that the report contained names and allegations against certain individuals.

“The minister’s report tabled to council on 14 June 2013

recommends that an investigation be concluded on all alleged acts of impropriety,” municipality spokeswoman Lebogang Tsogang said.

“Nowhere does it mention specific individuals and recommend sanctions.”

She said the support team appointed by Baloyi would conduct investigations in the case of implicated officials.

It would be improper for the task team to recommend that action be taken against individuals without giving them an opportunity to respond to the allegations, she said. – Sapa