The affairs of the Moqhaka Local Municipality will come under intense scrutiny after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed a proclamation authorising the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate allegations of serious maladministration at the Free State based municipality.

According to the SIU, the proclamation ‘authorises the SIU to investigate procuring and contracting armed physical security services in the municipality’.

‘The SIU will also investigate any unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, or wasteful expenditure incurred by the department or the State. The scope of the investigation also covers any unlawful or improper conduct by department officials or employees, the applicable suppliers or service providers, or any other person or entity which has caused or may cause serious harm to the interests of the public.

‘Furthermore, the investigation will also establish whether there was any unlawful appropriation or expenditure of public money. The Proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improp
er conduct that took place between 1 January 2019 and 12 April 2024…and after the date of the Proclamation that are relevant to, connected with, and incidental to the matters or involve the same persons, entities or contracts investigated,’ the corruption busting unit said.

The SIU added that it would, as an additional measure, ‘identify system failures and make systematic recommendations to improve measures to prevent future losses’.

‘In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence pointing to criminal conduct it uncovers during its investigations to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.

‘The SIU is empowered by the SIU Act to institute a civil action in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation caused by acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration,’ the unit concluded.

Source: South African Government News Agency