SAMWU welcomes Hawks preliminary investigations on R1.5 billion lost though mismanagement, corruption and maladministration at Randwest Municipality.
11 August 2020
SAMWU welcomes Hawks preliminary investigations on R1.5 billion lost though mismanagement, corruption and maladministration at Randwest Municipality.
The South African Municipal Workers’s Union (SAMWU) in the West Rand Region notes and welcomes the finalization of the preliminary investigation into allegations of mismanagement of funds, corruption and maladministration within the Rand West City Local Municipality (RWCLM) by the Hawks.
The union further welcomes indications that the Hawks are ready to proceed with instituting charges against those whom they believe have a strong case to answer to, this including the RWCLM’s current accounting officer, Mr Themba Goba.
According to the investigations, over R1.5 billion, with a possibility of more billions has been lost from the municipal coffers between 2016 and 2019.
Although the actions being taken now are delayed, we welcome the movement by law enforcement agencies in rooting out misappropriation in the municipality. We also believe that more people, both from the management and politicians are involved in this despicable act, we call upon the Municipal Council to urgently convene in light of these serious allegations and eminent charges and place Mr Goba on suspension so further investigations can be concluded without any interference.
We call on this swift and urgent suspensions to avoid any possible destruction of remaining evidence and victimization of possible internal official/s that may want to be witnesses to this hideous crimes and inhumane acts.
Without casting guilt to anyone we also call on both officials and politicians that have or may be implicated in the current or forthcoming investigation to place themselves on leave of absence till such time they have been cleared of any wrong doing, failure to do such we will mobilize workers to do what they know best in ensuring that public funds and assets are protected from further squander.
It cannot continue as business usual when our communities having to face the invisible disease of Covid19 yet continue to be robbed of their hard earned democratic institutions by criminals hiding as Professionals and/or politicians.
SAMWU is committed, as previously declared, to good, clean and accountable government that’s is working and be of service to it’s people.
Issued by SAMWU West Rand Region
Kgosi Breedt
Regional Secretary
0720499255