Cape Town – The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) claims Cederberg municipal manager Henry Slimmert, who has been charged with defeating the ends of justice, allegedly instructed municipal employees not to co-operate with investigators.
The SIU had swooped on the municipal offices in September following alleged irregular procurement of personal protective equipment (PPE).
Slimmert was released on R20 000 bail yesterday following his arrest by the Western Cape Commercial Crime Investigation Unit on charges of obstructing and defeating the ends of justice as well as contravention of the SIU Act.
As part of his strict bail conditions, Slimmert was ordered to sign in twice a week at a police station, hand in all his passports to the investigating officer and not interfere directly or indirectly with the investigation.
His case was postponed to February 25 for further investigation.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said they lodged a criminal case against Slimmert after he allegedly issued a memo instructing municipal employees not to co-operate with investigators when they swooped on the municipality’s offices in September after allegations that PPE was irregularly procured were made.
“The SIU raided the Cederberg Municipality’s offices in September, 2020, in line with Proclamation No 23 of 2020, signed by President Cyril Ramaphosa, authorising the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the procurement of PPE for Covid-19 in government institutions and entities of the state.
“On top of allegedly instructing employees not to co-operate, the municipality took the SIU to court claiming the unit raided the municipal offices unlawfully… but later withdrew the court challenge,” Kganyago said.
“The arrest and subsequent court appearance by Mr Slimmert should send a clear message to all public representatives and public servants that any action that is allegedly aimed at interfering or obstructing the SIU to carry out its mandate will have severe consequences.”
Approached for comment, Slimmert referred the Cape Times to Cederberg mayor Sylvia Qunta’s statement.
In the statement, Qunta maintained that the SIU raided the municipality and seized cellphones and laptops without a search warrant on September 10 .
“The Cederberg Municipality took the SIU to court because of the SIU not following processes, and the matter was settled in a court of law between the two parties.
It is important to know that the municipality gave permission to the SIU to interview staff members even without a search warrant,” said Qunta.
“The Cederberg Municipality provided access to our buildings to the SIU at all times when they requested access. The municipal manager co-operated very well with the SIU since their first visit, at the same time providing leadership to the municipality.
“As a municipality, we confirm our commitment to uphold the rule of law and that any person is deemed innocent until proven guilty.
’’The Cederberg Municipality reiterates again that they would like to co-operate with any investigating or prosecuting authority.”
Cape Times