The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Free State has requested the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) in Welkom to investigate allegations reported in the media of irregular behaviour by Matjhabeng Mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha.
Dr Roy Jankielsohn MPL, the DA Free State Premier Candidate said it has been alleged that the Mayor refused to pay three companies a total of R88 million for services rendered, allegedly demanding a kickback of R4 million from each company.
Roy adds that it is further alleged that the Mayor (Thanduxolo Khalipha) instructed the CFO, Thabo Panyani, to withhold payment until the companies had complied with his demand.
Questions have also arisen over a R3.4 million mansion allegedly received from a service provider as a kickback.
“During an NCOP presentation, the Mayor indicated that the municipality spent R2.8 billion on service providers over the last five years, which amounts to a total of R45 million per month. This is almost impossible to believe considering the poor state of municipal infrastructure and the sewerage crisis of the municipality, possibly the worst in the country. A further request to the Hawks includes High Court documents regarding the appointments, claims, and payments to service providers.” Roy explained.
The DA has requested the Hawks to investigate:
- The source of funding for the residence of the Mayor.
- Allegations that the Mayor is soliciting funds from service providers
- The allegations that service providers have received or are demanding payments while services have not been rendered at all, or partially rendered.
- Political office bearers and officials who were aware of corrupt activities and failed to report them as required by the law.
The DA Free State Leader said they are committed to ensuring that political office bearers and especially Mayors are held accountable for continued disregard for the rule of law.
Dr Roy adds: “ANC-run Free State municipalities have sadly become national examples of the worst pothole-riddled, sewage-infested municipalities because of ANC arrogance, cadre-deployment and an obvious disregard for morality and the residents of this province.”
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