GEORGE NEWS - Envelopes with cash, cars as gifts and house parties with a contractor are some of the serious allegations listed in a letter by the Western Cape Minister of Local Government, Anton Bredell, which describes the alleged corrupt relationship between three of George Municipalities top dogs and a local contractor known for his extensive services to the Department of Civil Engineering.
George Municipality was given a deadline until 28 June to provide information and supporting documentation to the minister's office, as explanation, clarification and or correction for a four page addendum which indicate a series of alleged irregularities and corrupt relations at the municipality. They were also asked to provide full details and supporting documentation concerning all remedial steps taken by the municipality to date to address the matters detailed in the annexure.
In his letter to the George Speaker, Gerrit Pretorius, Bredell says the Provincial Forensic Services recently conducted a forensic investigation at George Municipality. He was subsequently provided with certain information containing a number of serious allegations concerning the municipality, including alleged irregularities relating to the appointment of and payments made to multiple service providers.
It is also alleged that there has been political interference in the administration of the municipality, in particular in the awarding of tenders, such as the Nelson Mandela Boulevard tender, in which case the service provider did not meet the requirements for appointment in terms of the tender.
Other allegations include the irregular appointment of and payments to a contractor who allegedly had a corrupt relationship with certain municipal officials. It is alleged that this contractor has irregularly been awarded numerous tenders in the Directorate Civil Engineering Services. It is alleged that towards the end of 2017, officials of the municipality attended a private year-end function at the home of the contractor, and that, during this function, he was promised to be awarded the "chemical tender".
This same contractor allegedly bought a politician (Mr A) and his daughter vehicles, and offered the politician envelopes with cash. (Names withheld on legal advice.) Mr A and his wife often attended parties at the contractors home, and the contractor allegedly built a house for an official (Mr B) involved in the civils department.
Operation clean the city
It is alleged that another contractor from Mossel Bay was approached by Mr A during January 2017 and was asked if he would be interested in a project pertaining to the cleaning of suburbs in the George Municipality for a period of four years. According to the information in Bredell's addendum, it is alleged that the contractor was not required to submit any tender documentation, but only had to complete a supplier database registration form for the municipality and provide a quote for the hourly rate he would charge.
"No written contract was concluded between the municipality and the contractor. In order to register on the municipality supplier database, the contractor had to provide an address in George. Allegedly Mr A provided the contractor with a George address, which is alleged to belonged to a cousin of Mr A.
"After (the contractor) submitted its first invoice to the municipality, (he) started receiving calls from (Mr A) and (an official, Mr C) requesting payments. Payments were made by (the contractor) to Mr A and Mr C in cash. It is alleged that Mr A also indicated that he would be happy if the contractor could pay his son's university fees of R96 000."
For the use of a George address, the contractor was allegedly requested to make a payment of R100 000 to Mr A. The contractor allegedly made a payment of R60 000, but refused to make further payments. He was allegedly contacted by Mr A's cousin who threatened to jeopardise the business contract. It is alleged that the cousin was appointed as a municipal official on the level of a supervisor by instruction of Mr A, after he threatened Mr A that he would approach the Speaker.
In January 2018 the contractor was informed by the municipality that his services is no longer required. Allegedly the relationship between the contractor and Mr A turned sour after a business proposal by the contractor, relating to a new development, was given to another developer by Mr A.
Allegations 'a plot to dishonour'
When approached for comment, Mr A said the deliberate allegations against him had been refuted in a special council meeting on 26 June. "I gave evidence that my wife and daughter's cars were purchased by me. It was clearly indicated that Nedbank and Wesbank financed the cars," said Mr A. "A clear monthly statement was shown of my son's university account which I pay monthly. You are welcome to get the evidence from me. Mr A said the allegations by the contractor is a further attempt of a plot to dishonour his good name. "Fortunately, my legal team and I are aware of the identity of the individuals behind the plot and are initiating charges of defamation against them. Should any information be disclosed by you other than I hereby submit, I reserve the right to bring legal action against you and George Herald."
Mr C is also of the believe that the allegations are a plot to dishonour his good name. Mr B declined to pass comment.
More time to respond
Bredell confirmed that he has afforded the municipality more time, until later this month, to respond to the allegations. "I will take a decision on appropriate steps to be taken, if any, only once the consultation process with the municipality has been concluded," said Bredell.
"The legislation which authorises me to act, also requires me to afford the municipality an opportunity to comment on the allegations made against its officials and/or office bearers, before I so act.
"Given the nature of the allegations and the possible reputational and other consequences it may hold for the municipality and the individuals involved, I am not in a position, currently, to respond to your questions, save to confirm that I have afforded the municipality more time, until later this month, to respond to the allegations."
George Speaker Gerrit Pretorius said Bredell's letter with the annexure served before Council at a special council meeting on 26 June, where after Pretorius responded in writing to Bredell. "The allegations will be dealt with in terms of prescribed legislation," said Pretorius.
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