This, as the Ad Hoc Committee on the Section 100 intervention in the North West is expected to hold a virtual meeting this afternoon. The committee is expected to be briefed by various law enforcement agencies, including the Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU). The newly elected Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee, who has also previously served as an MPL in the North West Legislature, as well as the MEC for Cooperative Governance, China Dodovu, earlier this month expressed concerns about the state of the province and its local government. 

Dodovu has reiterated that more still needs to be done to stabilise municipalities in the province as they are still plagued with financial mismanagement, irregular expenditure, high vacancy rates and the inability to generate revenue.

Dodovu has highlighted how municipalities in the province are still crippled by these challenges, including their investment in the now liquidated VBS Mutual Bank.

Following the recent announcement by the SIU regarding cases that are under investigation in the province, the Committee is this afternoon expected to get clarity on how those implicated in Covid-19 tender irregularities will be held accountable.

The JB Marks Local Municipality and the Ratlou Local Municipality in the North West are amongst municipalities that came under fire at the beginning of the month following the release of an investigative report into Covid-19 PPE tenders by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

The SIU Head, Andy Mothibi, has confirmed how an administrator and a middle manager at these municipalities are under investigation for fraud relating to irregular tender processes and how there was cover coating by suppliers and officials, as well as how front companies were used to obtain multiple contracts.

The two municipalities are said to be amongst several state institutions that have engaged in fraud, corruption and financial misconduct in the province.

The sitting by the Committee is expected to kick off at 13:00.

OFM News