Note to editors: Please find attached English and Afrikaans soundbites by Cllr Hilton Maasdorp.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Dihlabeng Local Municipality welcomes the arrest of two former directors and an employee of the municipality. This comes as no surprise in the already scandal-tainted ANC-controlled administration. The continued investigation will give communities answers on what irregular activities have occurred within the administration of the municipality.
The DA had warned various portfolio committees and the council, as well as written to the provincial legislature, and has frequently expressed their concern after receiving information from whistle-blowers about such shady activities.
The arrest stems from an incident that took place between January 2020 and December 2021, where a ghost worker at the municipality received a monthly salary of R12 000 per month under a contract.
The suspects appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court, where they will stand trial on charges of fraud, theft, and breaching the Prevention of Organized Crime Act, 121 of 1998 (POCA). The case was reported to the Falcons’ Serious Corruption Investigation Team in Bethlehem for further investigation, which resulted in the arrest of the suspects.
Irregular and illegal activities flourish precisely under the guise of the ANC’s so-called cadre-deployed administration and politicians. As a result of these fraudulent activities, the community will feel their effects.
The ANC, as a party, must also be held responsible as a result of their cadre appointments, flawed management systems, and lack of action in terms of the Auditor-General’s recommendations. The DA is committed to bringing change across the country and therefore urges all residents to register to vote in the 2024 National and Provincial Government elections.