Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning
With reference to the Central Karoo District Municipality:
- Whether the forensic report, commonly known as the Africa Creek Report, as commissioned by the Central Karoo District Municipality, has been brought to his attention; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether the report, as received from the appointed forensic investigation agency, was tabled at a council meeting; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
(3) whether the Council provided him with a copy of the report; if not, why not; if so, can a copy of the report be made available;
(4) whether the cost borne by the Municipality to commission this investigation can be provided; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether the council meeting minutes where the decision was made to appoint a forensic investigator can be made available; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
(1) Yes, it came to my attention that the Central Karoo District Municipality appointed the auditing firm, Moore Stephens Consulting (Pty) Ltd to undertake a detailed investigation into alleged irregularities pertaining to the Africa Creek contract.
This appointment follows various allegations by a whistle blower pertaining to the fraudulent appointment and payment of service providers. Furthermore, it came to my attention that Moore Stephens Consulting finalised their report, as commissioned by the Council.
I am not able to provide any additional detail pertaining to the report, as I have not been provided with a copy thereof.
- According to my understanding, the report has not been tabled for Council’s consideration. I have addressed correspondence to the Speaker to table this report to Council, however, to date this has not taken place.
The Acting Municipal Manager (at that stage) had also been advised that should the report make findings regarding unauthorised expenditure, the pre-requisites of Section 32 of the Municipal Finance Management Act (56 of 2003) must be adhered to, notwithstanding adherence to other applicable legislative provisions against any implicated officials.
- No, the Municipality did not provide me with a copy of the report, despite my requests and therefore I am not able to provide the report.
- The Speaker of the Central Karoo District Municipality was approached to provide this information, who in turn advised that “I can’t comment on a matter that was conducted by the previous administration as this matter was before my time” and “Even more so considering that the matter is already running its own legal course”.
- The Speaker of the Central Karoo District Municipality was approached to provide this information, however the Speaker declined to provide the minutes based on the same reasoning as provided in question (4) above.
