Premier

The Western Cape Government has a zero-tolerance policy for corruption. Corruption in the government sphere has the potential to threaten service delivery and effects our most vulnerable residents the most. As part of our commitment to clean governance, myself and my cabinet have all undergone independent lifestyle audits which will be repeated again at the end of our term in office.

The Premier can only respond to investigations that are being conducted by the Provincial Forensic Services and Department of Local Government. Other organs of State mandated to conduct investigations such as the South African Police Services, Special Investigating Unit, Public Protector South Africa, etc. are independent and these agencies should comment on such investigations. It is proposed that these bodies either be directly requested to report on the detail of their investigations or that the reporting mechanism through National Parliament should be followed. Where such investigations do take place, the Western Cape Government cooperates fully.

(a)(i) Investigations conducted by the Western Cape provincial government, (iii) officials of the provincial government and (b) what are the updates on each of these investigations?

Details of investigations that are being conducted by Provincial Forensic Services in connection with the Western Cape provincial government are as follows:

PROVINCIAL FORENSIC SERVICES (DOTP)

(a)Investigations conducted by the (ii) Western Cape municipalities and (iii) officials of municipalities and (b) what are the updates on each of these investigations?

The Department of Local Government provided the following information:

In respect of those investigations initiated by the Provincial Minister responsible for Local Government:

(ii) The Provincial Minister responsible for Local Government has appointed independent investigators in terms of Section 106(1) of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act 32 of 2000, to investigate allegations of maladministration, fraud, corruption or any other serious malpractice at the George Municipality and Matzikama Municipality. In both instances, the investigations have commenced and are currently under way.

In addition to the above, s106 investigations were concluded this year at the Central Karoo District Municipality and George Municipality.

(iii) The investigations undertaken in terms of s106 relate to allegations made against municipalities, as well as officials or councillors which may be implicated.

(b)In respect of those investigations initiated by the Provincial Minister responsible for Local Government, the current status of the investigations is as follow:

• George Municipality: first investigation (Fraud, corruption and maladministration)

The s106 reports, have been finalised and released in 3 phases due to the magnitude of the investigation. These reports have been made available to the Speaker of the Municipality, who has tabled the said reports to Council and it has accordingly resolved on implementing the recommendations based on the findings of the report.

• George Municipality: second investigation (Human Resource Irregularities)

A formal s106 investigation has commenced with the designation of investigators into allegations of Human Resource Irregularities and is currently ongoing.

• Central Karoo District Municipality (Fraud, corruption and maladministration)

The report relating to the allegations in Central Karoo District Municipality was recently completed and will be presented to the Provincial Minster. for his consideration.

• Matzikama Municipality (Irregular appointments, theft and irregular payments)

A formal s106 investigation has commenced with the designation of investigators into allegations of irregular appointments, theft and irregular payments.  The Municipality is currently questioning the validity of the investigation and the Minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning will therefore approach the Western Cape High Court with an urgent application seeking appropriate relief.