Tshwane metro corruption rife: report

The Democratic Alliance says that rampant corruption in the Tshwane metro is hampering service delivery, Beeld reported on Tuesday.

DA spokeswoman for community safety in Tshwane, Karen Meyer, was reacting to a report by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) that was tabled in parliament last week.

She said Tshwane's "culture of corruption" would destroy any vision the city had for economic growth and service delivery.

The SIU, originally tasked by President Jacob Zuma in November 2010 with investigating allegations of corruption and mismanagement, found amongst others that 65 Tshwane officials had business interests in 66 companies with which the metro is currently doing business involving R185 million.

Disciplinary measures have been taken against nine officials whose companies have received payments exceeding R1 million.

Possible money laundering also came to light after the analysis of bank statements of six companies that can be linked to former or current spouses, and/or relatives of two municipal officials. One of the officials was fired pending the conclusion of the investigation.

At least six officials in management positions have no qualifications at all, and there are inconsistencies in the qualifications of at lease 22 others.

Jason Ngobeni, the city manager of Tshwane, said Tshwane was kept abreast of the investigation and had taken disciplinary measures against officials as the investigation unfolded.