The investigation into the two municipal officials who allegedly watched the Rugby World Cup final in France has started.
Additionally, read: DA requests an investigation into municipal officials’ RWC visit to France.
The Western Cape’s Anton Bredell MEC for local government, environmental affairs, and development planning confirmed to the Daily Maverick that investigations into the trip-related allegations have started.
According to Bredell’s spokesperson, Wouter Kriel,” We have begun the process to determine whether a Section 106 investigation can be launched.” According to the legislative framework, the Minister must first give the municipality the chance to comment on the allegations before conducting an assessment to determine whether a provincial investigation is necessary.
The Daily Maverick claims that Section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act gives local governments the authority to ask for information and appoint an investigator if they are aware of any allegations of corruption, fraud, or mismanagement in the municipality.
Bredell reportedly asked the Theewaterskloof municipality for its response to his questions about the visit, but the municipality remained silent.
During their trip to France, John Michels, the deputy mayor of Theewaterskloof Municipality, and speaker Derick Appel reportedly intended to visit embassies and talk about potential project partners.
Zane Dangor, director-general of the Department of International Relations and Cooperations ( Dirco ), received a letter describing the trip as an “official state visit.”
Wilfred Solomons- Johannes, the municipality’s municipal manager, asked Dirco for a verbale note in this letter stating that the two would visit the British and French embassies and meet with pertinent officials to discuss the trade and investment.
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Isaac Sileku, the Democratic Alliance’s Theewaterskloof constituency leader, questioned whether this was the true purpose of the trip in response. Sileku enquired as to the cost of the journey as well.
You are welcome to bring this issue up with the appropriate officials if you think the National Treasury should look into it to see whether the proposed excursion actually serves the interests of the people of Theewaterskloof.
Theewaterskloof residents deserve straightforward explanations of this trip and its effects on their community.
In a letter dated November 2, Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities MEC Mireille Wenger forwarded Sileku’s request to Bredell.
The Municipal Finance Management Act lacks investigative authority. The Provincial Treasury will, however, keep an eye on the municipality’s monthly financial reports to look for any signs of financial mismanagement or potential cost containment violations.
According to Kriel, the question is who provided the funding for the trip and whether the municipality’s financial rules were followed.
Michels and Appel, however, assert that they were the ones who paid for the trip.
According to News24, Appel, who also serves as the Western Cape ANC’s treasurer, is currently facing a criminal charge related to the September assault on three law enforcement officers in Riviersonderend.
Additionally, the Good party held a hearing against Michels after he was accused of sexual harassment earlier this year.
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Ross Parmly/ Unsplash image
