By Craig Elyot

A FORENSIC audit has exposed corruption and financial mismanagement in over 30 municipalities in KwaZulu Natal.

MEC for Local Government, Traditional Affairs and Housing Dumisani Makhaye has on his desk evidence of corruption, fraud, financial mismanagement and other irregularities at the municipalities.

Makhaye is expected to soonannounce the appointment of a high-powered task team dedicated to investigating municipal graft, according to his spokesman Lennox Mabaso.

Last week, Ntabankulu Mayor Pumzile Matshobe, municipal manager Koko Pinyana, human resources manager Thembolake Manda and town engineer Mzu Vukile Guzana were arrested on corruption charges relating to false accommodation claims totaling R500 000.

At nearby Kokstad, which faces a R39 million deficit, a second audit in 18 months found that the appointment of municipal manager, Thandolwakhe Tubane, was irregular as he was appointed over more qualified candidates, yet earns R220 000 more per year than his predecessor.

There were also violations of the council pension fund totaling R1.23 million, illegal loans to councilors totaling over R560 000, and the illegal creation of six new "super-manager" positions with annual salary packages totaling over R2 million.

As of March 2003, former councilors owed over R100 000 to the Kokstad municipality and have shown little indication to repay the debt, the audit states.

Tubane insists the deficit is only R29 million.

Regarding his lack of qualifications for the job, he said: "Like many other municipal managers after the new dispensation, it was new terrain."

The council is apparently seeking legal advice to determine if the statements in the audits were defamatory.

Deloitte and Touché and Gobodo Forensic conducted most of the investigations.

Dr Brett Craig, chairperson of the Clean Governance Campaign, a civic organisation started by Kokstad residents, warned of rate boycotts unless the graft was addressed.
Source: BuaNews