Local government and Traditional Affairs MEC Fikile Xasa confirmed he had received the Kabuso report.
Local government and Traditional Affairs MEC Fikile Xasa confirmed he had received the Kabuso report.
Speaking at a press briefing at the city hall on Wednesday 10 September, during a special visit to Grahamstown, Xasa confirmed that he is in possession of the much-talked-about Kabuso report.
The report implicates a number of high-ranking Makana Municipality officials in alleged irregularities. Xasa like many local officials has reserved his comments to the media on the contents of the Kabuso report, saying he had not previously seen it. The Kabuso report details alleged irregularities ranging from appointments in which correct protocols weren't followed, to irregular payments.
Among the many named in the report are former strategic manager in the mayor's office Mncedisi Boma, labour relations officer Xolani Mbeleni, manager in the Speaker's office Noluthando Santi, corporate services director Mzukisi Madlavu, infrastructure director, Thembinkosi Myalato, finance deputy director Marius Crouse, Mayor Zamuxolo Peter and Speaker Rachel Madinda-Isaac.
Zamuxolo Peter, Rachel Madinda-Isaac, Noluthando Santi The report has recommended that Council obtain written explanations from Peter and Madinda-Isaac as to why action should not be taken for their role in processing an irregular payment of R40 909.00 to Santi. It further recommends that the municipality must obtain written explanations from Mbeleni and Crouse as to why disciplinary action should not be instituted against them for recommending the processing of that irregular payment.
The municipality, according to the report, must recover all the money from Santi. Mncedisi Boma In the report, a copy of which Grocott's Mail has, Boma is accused of receiving benefits erroneously processed by the municipality amounting to R196 613.21.
Boma allegedly failed to notify the municipality of these errors. In addition, Boma was allegedly captured on the payroll as a permanent employee at a salary scale of R450 000 excluding benefits. This resulted in additional benefits paid to him amounting to R203 222. 66. The report deems these benefits paid during the period September to January 2014 irregular expenditure.
The report recommends that the acting chief financial officer must among other things conduct a review of the payroll, specifically in respect of Boma. It recommends written confirmation be obtained that the additional benefits paid to him were not due and payable. It recommends that the acting CFO advise the corporate services director of the amount recoverable from Boma in respect of salary adjustments and bonuses paid; raise a staff debtor account in Boma's name in the municipal accounting system (Abakus) and report to the audit committee the remedial measures that have been implemented to improve internal financial controls.
Thembinkosi Myalato According to the report, Myalato recommended certain appointments in the capacity of acting director of corporate services and simultaneously approved the appointment in his capacity as acting municipal manager.
The report recommends that the municipality obtains legal opinion about the validity of appointments made during a 2013 recruitment drive. Mzukisi Madlavu The report recommends that the municipality asks Madlavu to provide written explanations why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
This follows the municipality's failure to develop job descriptions for advertised posts and its failure to confirm budget availability for the posts. Xasa said people could not be allowed break the law.
"[We cannot say] because we have now intervened [that]all their sins will be forgotten," Xasa said. "…hence we are talking about this wide-ranging forensic investigation." Xasa said the province intended to make sure the municipality followed proper processes.
Xasa said they would not be investigating claims that there were factions within the municipality.
"Obviously we will take action where there is there is a need to do so," he said.
