The Polokwane Municipality in Capricorn District has placed two of its top executive management on suspension for fraud following a probe into irregularities and maladministration.

The two Polokwane Municipality officials are suspected to have been involved in fraud and corruption. This relates to water project management contracts. As well as buses the municipality acquired on the Leeto la Polokwane programme.

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A forensic report was commissioned by the council on recommendations by both the Public Protector and the Auditor-General. An amount of R2.9m was paid to an independent investigator to compile a report after an extensive investigation. 17 other employees are also implicated by the report. This includes section managers and directors at the municipality.

“Council, during a special meeting on Monday (May 8) took a decision to suspend two of its executive management officials in order to make way for them to undergo a disciplinary process,” executive Mayor John Mpe made the announcement during a media briefing on Thursday.

OFFICIALS SUSPENDED FOR FRAUD

“It is also important to note that, as the allegations are made and recommendations arise from the investigations. This does not mean that the officials are guilty of wrongdoing. But only that they have a case to answer to as the principle of innocence until proven guilty applies,” he said.

“The culture of accountability and performance needs to be our way of life in our endeavour to provide quality services for the people of Polokwane.”