DA to name and shame corrupt officials and companies

VANDERBIJLPARK. – The Democratic Alliance yesterday (Tuesday) has laid criminal corruption charges against companies and former local government officials. The party also repeated its demand that Executive Mayor Simon Mofokeng make full public disclosure on the extent of corruption at Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).
The amount involved – for only three projects intended to improve infrastructure in Sebokeng – is R51 656 469, according to Gauteng legislature information released by the DA yesterday.
This is the latest move in the political drama unfolding in a bitter election battle between the ANC and the DA for control of the ANC-led municipality, tottering from a series of combined corruption revelations and extremely poor service delivery.
Yesterday’s charges – laid by DA Emfuleni mayoral candidate Kingsol Chabalala – include companies contracted by ELM which did not complete work despite being paid the R51 656 469.60 for the three projects in Sebokeng.
Internal forensic investigations by ELM into these matters are already under way, but the municipality has been accused of delaying investigations due to the August 3 elections.
Charges were also laid against individual contractors and officials whose names have previously already been mentioned in the public domain through DA questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) through replies by Paul Mashatile, MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.
The cases were opened at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station a week after Chabalala referred alleged ELM corruption and maladministration of R400 million to the Public Protector in Tshwane for investigation.
Chabalala has also challenged Mayor Mofokeng to a public debate on graft, racketeering and maladministration at ELM. Mofokeng has not responded to the challenge despite a number of requests to his office for such a debate.
“Mayor Mofokeng owes it to Emfuleni residents to make full disclosure on corruption as he publicly promised months ago – but we are not surprised that he is too afraid to make full disclosure of how he and the ANC have made ELM the most corrupt local authority in Gauteng,” said Chabalala.
The criminal charges laid by Chabalala involve the following failed projects and service providers as mentioned in Mashatile’s replies to Chabalala’s questions in the GPL:
• Zone 10 Sebokeng stormwater channel: consulting firm Bigen Africa Pty Ltd – paid R2 535 274.01 and No Limit Development paid R21 127 283. 42
• Nguna and U Street next to zone 7 stadium: Majantsipe Consulting Engineers – paid R1 995 632.00 and Gorohang Plant Hire paid R12 046 555.00
• Zone 6 extension 5, roads and stormwater : Tarman Pty Ltd – paid R4 949 548.47, No Limit Development Pty Ltd – paid R7 129 536.25 and consultants Engco Pty Ltd paid R1 872 540.45.