Taxpayers to foot Manase bill

SUPPLIED

The DAs local government spokesman, George Mari.

The controversial Manase investigation into irregularities in the eThekwini Municipality has cost taxpayers R14.9 million – despite the report being inconclusive and shrouded in secrecy.

The KZN Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs revealed the costs for the first time in a written response to questions put to it by the DA’s local government spokesman, George Mari.

In its response, the department stated that the provincial government and not the eThekwini municipality would be paying for the costs of the investigation into the financial management and operations at the municipality.

However, Mari has hit back, calling it “cold comfort” and saying it was still taxpayers who would be footing the high cost of the bill.

“Whether it comes out of eThekwini or provincial government coffers does not make a difference, it’s still taxpayers and ratepayers who are paying, without even being given the opportunity to see what they have paid for… We have not even seen this report, which is costing us millions. In addition, from the little that has been released, the Manase report is not even conclusive… so why on Earth did we pay R14.968m?

“The firm was told to investigate irregularities, which it spent nearly a year doing, only to issue a final report calling for further investigations. Does this mean that another audit is needed – no doubt by the same firm, which would cost us even more money?

Empty promises

“Through all this, we are kept in the dark over the report, with empty promises over its release,” Mari told the Daily News.

According to the department’s response, the Manase probe was mandated to investigate about R1.2 billion of transactions and administrative matters, including human resource management and operations in the municipality.

Portions released to the media have so far implicated some officials, with alleged irregularities being found mainly in the housing department.

Former municipal manager, Michael Sutcliffe, has been the only one so far to be given a copy of the full report, after threatening to take the munici-pality to court if it failed to do so.

He is also preparing to sue his successor, S’bu Sithole, for about R8m in damages arising from alleged defamatory statements made about him to the media.

Others implicated in the Manase report are also said to be preparing to take the municipality to court over the allegations. That battle will see taxpayers forking out millions for eThekwini’s legal fees.

The withholding of the Manase report has also led to widespread uncertainty over who else is implicated, and speculation on whistle-blowers within the municipality.

Sithole has cracked the whip, barring staff from speaking to the media, generating a culture of fear and suspicion among staff, say insiders.

The DA’s Tex Collins says the municipality has degenerated into chaos, accusing Sithole of being “led by the nose politically”.

A request for an interview with mayor James Nxumalo a month ago on the controversies has not been granted.

Terse

Instead, municipal spokesman Thabo Mofokeng responded in an SMS: “I’ll tell you if and when the mayor is available for the interview.”

The Daily News also approached both men earlier last month with allegations of corruption from a whistle-blower and requested their response.

Sithole failed to respond, while Nxumalo said he would come back to the paper, but did not.

The whistle-blower was subsequently told that his contract would not be renewed.

He is now also challenging the matter in court.