Row over missing safe in council offices

06 March 2007 - 02:00
By unknown

Kamva Mokoena

Kamva Mokoena

Opposition parties in the Ingquza Hill municipality, which incorporates Lusikisiki and Flagstaff in Eastern Cape, have called on the police to speed up investigations into a money safe that has gone missing.

The safe disappeared in December, but the theft was only reported to the council last month.

The matter has infuriated opposition parties in the council, who are accusing ANC councillors of knowing about the whereabouts of the safe.

Gordon Sigcau, a United Democratic Movement councillor, said they were worried because it had not been disclosed how much was in the safe.

"We were not even aware that there was a safe in our municipal offices. As far as we know the municipal funds are kept at the bank," Sigcau said.

Ingquza mayor William Ngozi has distanced himself from the matter, saying: "Please call our municipal manager. I am not involved."

Municipal manager Mluleki Fihlani could not reached for comment.

A case of housebreaking and theft is being investigated by the Lusikisiki police.