By Thabo Mosia
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the Free State have accused officials from the Mohokare Local Municipality of corruption and financial mismanagement related to the construction of a 27km raw water pipeline project from the Orange River to Paisley Dam. The party has expressed deep concern over the fraudulent use of public funds amounting to R136,200,00, and has announced their intention to open a criminal case against the implicated individuals.
According to the EFF’s Free State Provincial Secretary, Malefane Bosanku Msimanga, the party is demanding immediate action against those responsible for this “fraudulent activity” within the cash-strapped municipality. Msimanga stated, “We demand answers as to why there is no action taken against those who used an amount of R136,200,00 fraudulently in the 27km Raw water pipeline project (Orange River). We will further open a criminal case against all criminals who played a part in this fraudulent activity in cash strapped Mohokare Local Municipality.”
This move by the EFF follows a damning report from the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), which identified significant material irregularities in the project. The AGSA’s notification, issued to the municipality in June 2024, highlighted that payments were processed without proper certification that services were delivered. This irregularity was documented in two key projects: the construction of the 27km bulk raw water pipeline and the equipping of two raw water pump stations, both of which had severe financial implications for the municipality.
In the first instance, related to the pipeline project, the AGSA’s audit revealed that despite payments being made for the testing of the completed works, no such testing had taken place. The report states, “Although the pipework was constructed for the overall required length, the completed works were not tested, although a total amount of R1,362,500 had been paid for the testing of the pipeline.” The report further noted that these payments were processed without the required certification from the head of the relevant department, as mandated by the municipality’s Banking, Investment and Cash Management Policy .
Similarly, in the second project involving the construction of abstraction works on the Orange River and the equipping of two raw water pump stations, the AGSA found that payments amounting to R8,728,000 were made for works that were never carried out on site. The audit indicated that despite the municipality processing these payments, the actual services or equipment had not been delivered as per the contractual agreements .
The EFF has called on the Premier of the Free State Maqueen Letsoha-Mathae and other ANC deployees overseeing municipalities in the province to intervene and ensure that appropriate measures are taken against those responsible. “We call on the Premier of Free State and other ANC deployees who are overseeing municipalities in the province to put necessary pressure on the above mentioned matter which Auditor-General characterises as a Material Irregularity,” Msimanga added.
As of the time of publishing, the Mohokare Local Municipality had not responded to inquiries regarding the allegations and the actions they plan to take in light of the AGSA’s findings and the EFF’s criminal case.
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