The Hawks are investigating a R7,2 million dam that was contracted to be built in Nyakallong, Odendaalsrus. This money has disappeared without a trace and the dam is nowhere to be seen.
The municipal manager (MM), Zingisa Tindleni, was summonsed to appear before the Provincial Public Accounts Committee (PROPAC) to answer a series of questions pertaining to the non-existent dam.
“Accountability and consequence management by Matjhabeng remains a pipe dream. The auditor general (AG) had no other choice but to refer the matter for investigation into more than R7 million for a dam that the AG could find no evidence of.
The contractor had abandoned the project. Ultimately, this will be yet another failed project under the ruling party’s guise of Black Economic Empowerment that clearly only favours a few, but not our communities,” says Armand Cloete, member of the Free State Provincial Legislature – FF Plus.
Piet Botha, DA Matjhabeng caucus chairman, says in a report to the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) compiled by the Hawks on 31 May, there is reference made to R15 898 618 to build a storm water system in Nyakallong. The offence listed on the statement is fraud.
According to Botha, the Hawks say an actual loss of R15 898 618 was suffered, and not just R7.2 million.
“The MM neglected her duty as accounting officer of the Municipality in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) as she did not lay a criminal charge against the consultants and the municipal officials.” Botha says it is sad indeed that taxpayers’ money is wasted by officials who do not have the best interests of the municipality at heart.
“The DA will request more details from the MM on this specific case and why she did not report this to the police. We will also enquire on whether any monies were recouped from the contractor and consultant. Unfortunately, the disciplinary wheels grind slowly when cases like these are reported to council and the Disciplinary Committee of Senior Managers. I doubt we will get a result by the time the current MM’s term ends on 31 October, but we will lay a charge in any case,” said Botha on enquiry.
