Western Cape - A forensic report has recommended that criminal charges of fraud be filed against Eden mayor Wessie van der Westhuizen and others in the Western Cape, the Cape Times reported on Wednesday.
ENS Forensics apparently found evidence of fraud, forgery, and uttering in claims for accommodation expenses.
In the report, which was leaked to the media, it was recommended that the individuals also face internal misconduct hearings.
The probe, covering July 2011 to December 31 last year, was launched after the Eden district municipality encountered evidence of “consistent breaches of policy and procedure” relating to the mayor's travel and accommodation claims.
Van der Westhuizen told the newspaper that although not happy about the probe, he welcomed the investigation because it would allow him to clear his name.
“This is nothing more than a struggle for power by those conservative elements who have not adopted to the new South African democracy,” he said. - Sapa