The Department of Local Government in the Western Cape has set aside an amount of R8.6 million towards strengthening an internal forensic investigation unit.
Anton Bredell, the minister of Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning in the Western Cape, made the announcement during the latest adjustment budget vote in the Western Cape Legislature.
“The expansion of the internal forensic unit is part of the department’s plan to expand the oversight and support to municipalities where allegations of corruption needs to be investigated,” says Bredell.
The department has allocated R 2.8 million in 2021 to the unit. In 2022 the allocation is R 2.8 million and in 2023, an amount of R 3 million has been earmarked.
“Where there is instability in some of our municipalities, it often leads to allegations of fraud, corruption and maladministration that must be investigated. It is to this end that the municipal forensic unit has been established.”
Bredell says over the past two years the unit has conducted investigations at a variety of municipalities including Bitou, George, Central Karoo and Matzikama municipalities.
“Reports from investigations into Bitou and George, following the investigations, has already been provided to the Police’s priority crimes unit (the Hawks) who is the competent authority to take the matter forward. In the Western Cape we take the fight against corruption and wrongdoing very seriously. We know that stealing in government means you are stealing from the poor themselves.”