According to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), a number of financial mismanagement and corruption allegations in several departments and municipalities across the province have been reported and as a result, several fraud and corruption investigations are underway. 

The law enforcement agency briefing the Ad Hoc Committee on the Section 100 intervention in the North West on Monday highlighted how investigations in the province, involving high profile officials, are at an advanced stage.

The SIU and the Hawks’ briefing before the committee came amidst growing concerns over the poor state of the province and its local government. Following the SIU confirmation earlier this month - that a total of 12 fraud and corruption allegations relating to Covid-19 PPE tenders are under investigation in the North West - concerns over the state of the province by opposition parties have been raised.  

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, has also expressed concerns about the state of the province.

Whilst committee members have expressed gratitude for investigations by the SIU, including those involving controversial cases such as the Gupta-linked Mediosa company, many Members of Parliament (MPs) have called on law enforcement agencies to fast-track investigations in the province and to ensure that high profile politicians are also brought to book.

OFM News