By OBAKENG MAJE
North West Public Works and Roads department continues to be marred with fraud, malpractice, and corruption allegations. This comes after President, Cyril Ramaphosa ordered the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate the department for any illegal transactions that took place from January 2016 to 12 March 2021.
SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago said: “Ramaphosa has signed a Proclamation R21 of 2021 authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate corruption, malpractice and maladministration in the department and to recover any financial losses suffered by the department.
“The proclamation authorizes the SIU to look into transactions that took place between 1 January 2016 and 12 March 2021, the date of proclamation. The SIU is also authorized to look into transactions that took place after the date of the proclamation, which are relevant to, connected with, incidental, or involve the same persons, entities or contracts investigated.”
He further said the SIU investigation in the department will focus on the procurement of or contracting for works or services by or on behalf of the department relating to project management for the Transport Infrastructure Directorate of the Department.
Kganyago added that they will further, spread their investigations into the rehabilitation of flood-damaged road infrastructure in the North West
Province and the installation of perimeter fencing at the Eagle Waters Wildlife Resort, and payments which were made in respect thereof in a manner that was not fair, equitable, transparent, competitive or cost-effective, or contrary to applicable legislation and instructions issued by the National Treasury or the relevant Provincial Treasury, and any related unauthorised, irregular or fruitless and wasteful expenditure incurred by the department or the State.
“We will also investigate any unlawful or improper conduct by the employees or officials of the department or applicable service providers, or any other person or entity in relation to the allegations.
“The SIU will exercise all its legislative powers to subpoena, search and seize evidence, and interrogate witnesses under oath during the investigation. We are an independent forensic and litigation agency established by the President in terms of the Special Investigating Unit and Special Tribunal Act, Act 74 of 1996, to investigate serious malpractice, corruption, malfeasance, and maladministration in relation to the administration of State institutions, State assets, and public money as well as any conduct which may seriously harm the interest of the State and the public,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) Constituency Head in the Greater Taung Local Municipality and Member of Parliament (MP), Sello Seitlholo once accused the department of re-graveling the D201 road that links Pampierstad and Matlapaneng for a whopping R40 million instead of building a proper road. Seitlholo alleged that the ANC government wasted R40 million on re-graveling a road those residents cannot use when it rains.
“In July 2020, the DA wrote to MEC Oagile Molapisi regarding the tender process followed on the re-graveling of road D201. The tender for the re-graveling of the road was awarded to Lebo Tebo Trading despite the company not appearing on the tender bid document.”
“The DA raised concerns over allegations that the company belonged to a prominent ANC member in Taung. The said company had previously also received an R40 million tender contract for the construction of Sedumedi Primary School,” he said.
Seitlholo added that nearly seven months after writing to Molapisi, the DA is yet to receive a formal response from him regarding the tender and D201 road. He said they will once again write to Molapisi requesting him to call an urgent meeting with the affected communities to address the blatant disregard that his department has shown to them.
The North West Public Works and Roads department spokesperson, Matsube Mfoloe failed to respond to our media questionnaires that were sent to him by TDN almost three weeks prior to publishing the previous article.
Fraud and corruption allegations may be reported via the following platforms:
siu@whistleblowing.co.za / Hotline: 0800 037 774
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