The ANC-led KwaDukuza municipality were recipients of R 1,2 billion in grant funding following the 2022 floods that ravaged large parts of the municipality. Despite a total of 401 projects being registered under this conditional grant allocation, residents of KwaDukuza are yet to see multiple infrastructure projects come to fruition.
The DA in KwaDukuza has recently learnt that the Auditor General has raised concerns around possible irregularities on the R7,4 million Rand Kwamfanomdala Bridge in Ward 20, KwaDukuza. In addition , there are allegations of municipal officials being complicit in effecting payments on this project, for substandard work or work that was not carried out based on the predefined bill.
By way of recommendations through the Infrastructure and Technical Services Portfolio committee, we have requested the following:
· That urgent in loco inspections are conducted on the following three projects the Sugra Bridge, Kwamfanomdala Bridge and Hulett Bridge. These must be joint inspections with the Portfolio Committee and EXCO; and
· That the Municipal Manager, Nhlanhla Mdakane urgently actions a full investigation into allegations of officials within the Civil Engineering department being complicit in any irregular or nefarious activity.
The Democratic Alliance in KwaDukuza will use all mechanisms at our disposal to ensure that compromised ANC deployed officials are brought to book, and that captured supply chain processes are remedied in order to ensure services reach the people of KwaDukuza. These will include referring any matter to the Public Protector for further scrutiny.
We will not sit back and allow public funds to be utilized as a campaigning tool for the ANC, who are now desperate to hold on to power.