CAPE TOWN - The Matzikama municipality has suspended its head of legal services who is at the centre of personal protective equipment (PPE) procurement probe following a recommendation by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
Isak Jenner was served with a notice of intention to suspend him by the municipality on Monday.
The SIU had initially swooped on the municipality last year, attaching computers and documents for their investigation into allegations of PPE procurement irregularities.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed the recommendation to suspend Jenner.
“It relates to two tenders that we investigated at the Matzikama Local Municipality. Mr Isak Jenner is a former MEC for the Department of Cultural Affairs, Sport and Recreation in the Western Cape,” he said.
The unit has also recommended the municipality withhold payment to one service provider, adding that the municipality has confirmed that no further payments will be made.
Recently elected Matzikama municipality mayor Johan van der Hoven said Jenner was given 48 hours to give reasons why he should not be suspended, and he did not respond.
“We acted on a report of the SIU of alleged serious misconduct relating to procurement of PPE equipment. He was also given 48 hours to give reasons why he should not be suspended.
Nothing was received from him. The notice also informed him not to continue visits to municipal offices and to vacate his office,” Van der Hoven said.
Jenner said he was shocked by the suspension.
“The documentations are with my legal team and I am waiting for their recommendation then I will decide on the way forward, if I will decide to respond to my suspension by means of an appeal.
“I do not want to dwell on the facts of the matter, but one of the main things against me is that I have acted outside my delegation of authority.
“I will see if the allegations against me will stand in the hearing because I am disputing them,” he said.
DA Western Cape spokesperson for Local Government, Derrick America, called for transparency. “We call on all parties involved to fully co-operate with the SIU and provide complete transparency.
“Municipalities are at the coalface of service delivery for residents, and as such, all local governments must be held accountable for their management of public money,” he said.
MEC for Local Government Anton Bredell said he has not been made aware of Jenner’s suspension.
Last week three senior managers and an owner of a private company in the Cederberg municipality were arrested and granted bail for alleged PPE corruption.
Cape Times