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The mayor of the municipality of Cederberg, Sylvia Qunta, and the head of the council whip, Francois Kamfer. (Photo: screenshot included)
During the raid, the SIU confiscated a laptop. The next step is to inspect the hard drive and look for fraudulent transactions or irregularities.
The search and seizure operation carried out by the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) in the municipality of Cederberg in Clanwilliam on Monday, September 14, would not have been carried out if the municipality had cooperated with authorities, the SIU said.
Kaizer Kganyago, SIU spokesperson, said: “Under normal circumstances, we normally ask for cooperation, but in this case this municipality tried to block us. We are investigating the alleged purchase of personal protective equipment [PPE] Corruption across the country and the Cederberg investigation is one of nine being investigated in the Western Cape. Last month, the SIU raided the offices of the local Matzikama municipality ”.
During the raid in the municipality of Cederberg, the SIU confiscated a laptop and the next step, Kganyago said, would be to inspect the hard drive and look for fraudulent transactions or irregularities. If irregularities or corruption are detected, the matter will be referred to the National Prosecutor’s Office (NPA).
The SIU is investigating more than 658 Covid-19 PPE tenders and other pandemic-related contracts worth R5.08 billion. President Cyril Ramaphosa tasked the SIU with investigating the PPE irregularities on July 23, followed by a cabinet decision on August 5 to establish a ministerial task force to examine contracts related to Covid-19.
The investigation into allegations of corruption in the municipality of Cederberg comes after the whistleblowers alerted the Hawks and implicated regional members of the ANC.
Sylvia Qunta, executive mayor of the municipality of Cederberg, said they had nothing to hide. She said that together with the councilors and the administrative direction of the municipality, they had no objection to the SIU entering the property to conduct a search and seize items. The municipal manager had ordered the staff to cooperate fully with the SIU, Qunta added.
“An arrangement was made with one of the officers representing the SIU to deliver the necessary information. In addition, it was agreed that copies of the documentation will be left in the municipal administrator’s office.
“The Municipality of Cederberg has procured PPE and food packages in accordance with its recognized policies and prescriptions and will assist SIU in its investigation. The municipality has nothing to hide and will continue to assist the SIU in its investigations as long as they are carried out legally and with due respect for constitutional rights, ”he said.
Local government, environmental affairs and development planning MEC Anton Bredell expressed dismay at allegations made by the SIU that the ANC-led council had tried to prevent the SIU from carrying out its work.
“This is the second province council that the SIU has raided now. Again, the allegations under investigation relate to the fraudulent acquisition of PPE and again the SIU has been hampered in its work, and the ANC-led local council allegedly tried to block the investigation, ”he said.
“We always welcome any action taken to investigate allegations of wrongdoing at the local government level. Corruption must be eradicated and requires an “all hands on deck” approach. I myself have called the Hawks to municipalities before to investigate allegations of corruption.
“We stand ready and assist the Hawks and SIU in any way with their ongoing investigations if necessary. I want to remind all councils in the province of their duty to put the public first and to cooperate with law enforcement authorities when asked, ”said Bredell.
Sammy Claassen, former member of the ANC and now member of the GOOD Party in Velddrif, said
“The regional members of the ANC must be arrested and held responsible for the mess in which the municipalities of Cederberg and Matzikama find themselves today. These members are the only ones guilty of throwing these municipalities under the bus. Stand aside with immediate effect. ” DM / MC
