Durban - Fraud, corruption, maladministration, irregular, unauthorised and fruitless expenditure involving a councillor has been uncovered at Endumeni Local Municipality in Dundee, north of KwaZulu-Natal. These revelations were contained in a report tabled at the municipal council by KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) department on Monday.

The report follows a forensic investigation into irregular expenditure at the municipality in terms of Section 106(1)(b) of the Municipal Systems Act (Act 32 of2000). In a statement, Cogta MEC Nomusa Dube-Ncube said the investigation, by Mdledle Incorporated, exposed payment of donations to individuals under the pretext that these were donations to religious organisations. These organisations were found to be non-existent. Some payments were made to business entities to purchase equipment in contravention of the municipality’s own policies; fraudulent subsistence and travelling claims; irregular appointment of service providers in violation of the municipality’s supply chain management procedures; excessive and irregular expenditure on security services among other things.“This forensic report is proof of our commitment to good and clean governance. As government we are committed to ensuring that our municipalities spend each and every rand on the real needs of communities. We are fighting maladministration, fraud and corruption in municipalities wherever and whenever these occur. All reported allegations are duly investigated without fear or favour and Cogta does regular follow-ups on the progress with implementation of its recommendations,” Dube-Ncube said. She said the allegations that led to the investigation were directed at some of the most senior elected leaders and appointed officials at the municipality. She said the council has been given 21 days within which to table the report before full council, deal with specific details contained in the report and thereafter report to her office on the remedial actions. https://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/forensic-report-uncovers-rampant-corruption-at-endumeni-municipality...