The Inkatha Freedom Party urges the Hawks to ensure that all companies that irregularly benefited from the tender for the construction of a community hall in Umzimkulu, which had taken years to complete, must also be investigated.
“These companies have failed to deliver but they took the money and left. Of course the big issue, the big elephant in the room, is corruption. Sometimes even municipal officials, especially in the supply chain department are involved in corrupt activities. They allow a whole lot of substandard practices and whole lot of illegal practices to take place because they’re able to extort bribes and are not serious about doing their work.
We want to hear the ANC and the MEC of COGTA being vocal in exposing those who are pushing their dirty agenda of looting public funds. We want to see the MEC leading the investigation. But we are convinced that the MEC will turn a blind eye just because she will protect her comrades as she did before in the corruption matters involving uMkhanyakude, Mandeni, Jozini and other municipalities,” said IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Hon Princess Phumzile Buthelezi MPL.
“The appointment of well-connected procurement agents is commonly made where individuals are seeking to source materials, plant and equipment at keen prices only for personal benefit at the expense of quality work. These relationships are more conducive to bribery and corruption as they can heavily influence decisions as to the choice of suppliers.
Responsible, practical and transparent management and operational practices are the key to dealing with bribery and corruption,” continued Princess Buthelezi.
“The companies involved in such practices must be compelled to pay back all the monies they benefited in the award of these tenders and they must be blacklisted in order to prevent them benefiting from future government tenders. We need to be bold in eradicating corruption.
Also any officials from the uMzimkhulu municipality who will be found guilty in this matter must be punished and blacklisted even if politicians are implicated they must also be exposed. We cannot allow people to use public funds for their own benefit,” concluded Princess Buthelezi.
Issued by:
Hon Princess Phumzile Buthelezi MPL
IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on COGTA
073 216 0918