TSHWANE OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF TENDER FRAUD MUST REMAIN SUSPENDED

TSHWANE OFFICIALS ACCUSED OF TENDER FRAUD MUST REMAIN SUSPENDED

By Grandi Theunissen

VF Plus Alderman: Tshwane Metro

The VF Plus in the Tshwane metro insists that the decision of the Municipal Bargaining Council to reinstate five officials linked to tender fraud in their positions must be taken on revision.

The Tshwane metro previously suspended the five officials during the administration in which the VF Plus was part of the government.

This step was taken based on a complete independent forensic investigation, which recommended disciplinary action against the officials.

During the forensic investigation, it was found that the officials had committed multiple violations of the Municipal Financial Management Act (MFMA) by awarding a tender for the Rooiwal wastewater treatment plant to Edwin Sodi, a known donor and associate of the ANC.

During the council meeting where the decision was made to suspend the staff, the ANC and EFF voiced strong opposition to this suspension.

The VF Plus questions the decision of the bargaining council made after the takeover by the new ANC/ASA and EFF coalition government.

The VF Plus has already requested the city manager, Johann Metler, to take the decision of the bargaining council on review.

The party believes that the recommendation of the SIU to the NPA to initiate criminal prosecution should be upheld.

This confirms the findings of the forensic report.

The VF Plus believes that the case should first be tested in court before the bargaining council’s decision is upheld.

The allegation of tender fraud is very serious, and we believe that the earlier lifting could lead to interference with evidence.