By Cllr Jacqui Uys
DA Tshwane Spokesperson on Finance
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has submitted a set of formal investigatory criteria to Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya which are critical areas to be probed to get to the truth about the allegations of corruption swarming around Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise.
Because Mayor Moya has said that the investigation into Modise will be treated as any other impartial investigation into corruption in the City of Tshwane would, the DA believes that the full truth must be probed, and no fundamental area of concern should be excluded.
The DA will not allow the coalition of chaos, where an ActionSA Mayor and ANC Deputy keep one another in government, to sweep this most serious matter under the carpet.
I have written to Mayor Moya demanding that the following must be part of the probe into Deputy Mayor Modise:
Determine if Cllr Modise declared his interest in the company doing business with the municipality in the financial years when he was both a councillor and director/shareholder of the company, and when such a declaration was made;
Determine whether Cllr Modise is still a shareholder of the company or holds a beneficial interest in the company such as a credit loan account, and if not, how and when he divested his ownership and financial interests in the company.
If Cllr Modise claims that he has sold his shares, has he produced a copy of the sale of shares agreement and when was it signed?
What are the provisions of this agreement, and does it constitute an out and out and immediate divestment?
If it was a donation, has he produced a deed of donation and when was it signed?
In the event that Cllr Modise claims that his shares were divested in favour of the company’s HR manager, determine whether there is an arm’s length relationship between him and the buyer/donee?
If he is the father of her child, and has financial obligations with her, then a sale/donation does not create an arm’s length relationship.
Furthermore, is he the owner of the property where the company is situated?
Determine, on examination of the bank statements of the company and Cllr Modise, whether there were any transactions subsequent to a claimed divestment.
The DA will fight tooth and nail for a complete, thorough and transparent investigation into the Deputy Mayor of Tshwane, where no political protection should shield him from accountability.
Meanwhile Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise responded as follows:
“The investigation against me has been constituted and I have already indicated that I am ready to cooperate and the unfortunate desperation on the part of the DA will blow in their faces.”
Modise said the City of Tshwane security contract was awarded to his company by a court of law 4 years before he became a Ward Councillor.