Kingdom Mabuza
Kingdom Mabuza
Cash to the tune of about R800000 has allegedly been fraudulently spent by Peter Molelekeng, the mayor of the Moses Kotane local municipality in North West.
According to documents in the possession of Sowetan the cash was used to buy a vehicle and to pay for meals and nights out for the mayor.
The money was allegedly taken from rates paid by residents in the area.
Last month a bid committee in the municipality allegedly failed to follow correct procedures when they bought a top-of-the-range German-made vehicle worth over R500000 for Molelekeng.
According to the documents, the committee claimed buying the vehicle was an emergency because the previous mayoral vehicle had been written off in an accident.
The supply chain management policy of the municipality was contravened in that the director of finance chaired the adjudication committee and later authorised payment as the accounting officer.
The policy also requires that at least three quotations be obtained. In this case only two were obtained.
The municipality was also billed by a guest house for Molelekeng's three daily meals, refreshments, entertainment, conferences and accommodation between August last year and July this year. The bill came to R200 000.
Sowetan'sinvestigation has revealed that though the municipality paid the guest house for conferences, the establishment has no facilities for such events.
In some requisitions the municipality paid for accommodation, but according to records from the guest house, the bills were for refreshments.
Last year a resolution was taken by the council to build Molelekeng a house worth R700000. But after he allegedly lobbied councillors, the matter was tabled again and a new resolution was taken at the last meeting to buy him a house worth R1,6 million.
The double-storey house is opposite the guesthouse frequented by Molelekeng.
Molelekeng is also alleged to have contravened the Financial Management Act by contracting an electrician to carry out work at the civic centre, while the municipality has its own electrician.
The municipality parted with R70 000 for the work.
Molelekeng, who was present during Sowetan's visit to his office, refused to be quoted or to have his picture taken.
Spokesman Mark Rasebitse said if there were suspicions that Molelekeng might have acted illegally, it was the duty of the municipal manager, Tex Bosielo, to refer the matter to council.
Molelekeng said he would conduct his own investigationand would submit a report to the relevant office if it was necessary. Appropriate steps would then be taken.
Mayor accused of spending on cars and nights out
Kingdom Mabuza
Kingdom Mabuza
Cash to the tune of about R800000 has allegedly been fraudulently spent by Peter Molelekeng, the mayor of the Moses Kotane local municipality in North West.
According to documents in the possession of Sowetan the cash was used to buy a vehicle and to pay for meals and nights out for the mayor.
The money was allegedly taken from rates paid by residents in the area.
Last month a bid committee in the municipality allegedly failed to follow correct procedures when they bought a top-of-the-range German-made vehicle worth over R500000 for Molelekeng.
According to the documents, the committee claimed buying the vehicle was an emergency because the previous mayoral vehicle had been written off in an accident.
The supply chain management policy of the municipality was contravened in that the director of finance chaired the adjudication committee and later authorised payment as the accounting officer.
The policy also requires that at least three quotations be obtained. In this case only two were obtained.
The municipality was also billed by a guest house for Molelekeng's three daily meals, refreshments, entertainment, conferences and accommodation between August last year and July this year. The bill came to R200 000.
Sowetan'sinvestigation has revealed that though the municipality paid the guest house for conferences, the establishment has no facilities for such events.
In some requisitions the municipality paid for accommodation, but according to records from the guest house, the bills were for refreshments.
Last year a resolution was taken by the council to build Molelekeng a house worth R700000. But after he allegedly lobbied councillors, the matter was tabled again and a new resolution was taken at the last meeting to buy him a house worth R1,6 million.
The double-storey house is opposite the guesthouse frequented by Molelekeng.
Molelekeng is also alleged to have contravened the Financial Management Act by contracting an electrician to carry out work at the civic centre, while the municipality has its own electrician.
The municipality parted with R70 000 for the work.
Molelekeng, who was present during Sowetan's visit to his office, refused to be quoted or to have his picture taken.
Spokesman Mark Rasebitse said if there were suspicions that Molelekeng might have acted illegally, it was the duty of the municipal manager, Tex Bosielo, to refer the matter to council.
Molelekeng said he would conduct his own investigationand would submit a report to the relevant office if it was necessary. Appropriate steps would then be taken.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos