Six officials from the metro’s roads and storm water department have been recommended for reinstatement after being suspended since August 2014.<\/p>\n
The suspension was because of an investigation into irregular expenditure amounting to R819-million according to a National Treasury report.<\/p>
The officials were alleged to have certified invoices, co-signed documents, and authorised payments that they were not allowed to process.<\/p>\n
A report by the human resources management and development department found that the workers exposed the metro to financial loss.<\/p>
Despite these findings, it was recommended that the disciplinary charges be withdrawn and the employees be reintegrated after being counselled and warned against such future behaviour.<\/p>\n
The investigation pursued a case against officials who awarded a tender to KYK Construction that was later withdrawn on the sole authorisation of the city manager Kaya Ngema.<\/p>\n
An external enquiry into the case found the officials to be negligent.<\/p>\n
The construction company won a court case against the city and was paid for costs incurred.<\/p>\n
The city applied for appeal which was granted.<\/p>\n
Pending the outcome of the appeal an interdict was placed on the department preventing them from authorising new tenders in three service delivery areas of management and rehabilitation of roads.<\/p>\n
Notwithstanding, the roads department requested a number of quotes; some exceeding the authorised amounts mandated by departmental standards.<\/p>\n
A new investigation report has been filed with the internal audit department following information from a whistle blower claiming that a R165-m tender had management irregularities.<\/p>\n
Of the six officials implicated in the first investigation, three are named in the new case.<\/p>\n
The three and four other officials will face the disciplinary charges of the second investigation by an independent chair and prosecutor appointed by privately practicing legal practitioners.<\/p>\n
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Other metro stories you may be interested in:<\/p>\n
Time to clean up metro\u2019s parks<\/a><\/p>\n Metro departments need to use assigned budgets<\/a><\/p>\n