Bloemhof – The North West MEC for Local Government and Human Settlement Collen Maine has ordered the council of Lekwa Teemane local municipality in Bloemhof to act on the recommendations of the forensic report within 30 days, failing which his office will step in. This follows the presentation of the damning report on investigations into the affairs of the municipality.    

Early in the year, the community of Boitumelong township near Bloemhof in Lekwa Teemane local municipality leveled allegations of fraud, corruption, nepotism, and maladministration against the municipality and staged violent protests in demand for a full blown investigation. The forensic audit followed the issues raised by the community in a memorandum.

The forensic audit revealed that:

✓The appointment of one councilor was based on a reference letter despite the fact that the councilor was discharged from his job because of fraud

✓An employee of the municipality who is also the brother of the then Mayor, was involved in a car accident whilst on duty and never faced any disciplinary hearing for drunken driving. The same official was appointed to a management position despite the fact that he did not meet the requirements

✓Charges of fraud and corruption against the then Mayor, Municipal Manager and two other councilors were withdrawn due to lack of evidenceStandards were lowered during the appointment of certain officials who did not meet the requirements

✓Goods and services with a transaction values of below R200 000 were procured without obtaining the required price quotations as required by the supply chain management and treasury regulations

✓Goods and services with a transaction value above R200 000 were procured without inviting competitive bids as required by supply chain management regulations

✓Bids were not always evaluated by bid evaluations committees which were composed of officials from affected units nor supply chain management practitioner as required

✓Competences of middle managers were not assessed promptly in order to identify and address gaps and competency levels as required by the Municipal regulations on minimum competency levels regulation

✓All land that was sold in the last three years was sold at prices lower than valuation roll.The report recommends that a moratorium on disposal of land and that a disciplinary action be taken against officials who transgressed on disposal processes in accordance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)
-TDN
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