Three service providers, with linked expenditure of approximately R60 million, are to face high-level forensic investigations after months of evidence gathering.
193 tip-offs have been received through the Municipality’s Ethics Hotline launched in October 2016. 69 of these are currently being investigated by Internal Audit and another 68 are being investigated by other Directorates.
A large amount of information has been received through the hotline and directly from individuals. This has culminated in one of the biggest moves against corruption the Metro has ever seen.
Contracts and all expenditure relating to the City of Champions project, Mohlaleng Media and Milongani Eco Consulting, will face forensic scrutiny. This comes after evidence presented to the Municipality was deemed sufficient to warrant suspicion and investigation.
Since last week Friday, six municipal laptops and over five boxes of documents have been seized, and three officials have been suspended.
Every cent of public money spent in respect of identified contracts must be accounted for. Any irregular or fraudulent expenditure will result in disciplinary action and civil cases will be opened, the information for which will be handed to the South African Police Service for criminal prosecution.
The appointment of forensic specialists and companies is underway.
Corruption is no longer welcome in Nelson Mandela Bay.