As the city implemented its Anti –corruption awareness campaign last week, the City Investigations Unit arrested a municipal employee from the Ntuzuma Roads and Stormwater depot for theft of small plant equipment.
Acting on a tip off, the Unit, together with Metro Police responded by setting up a sting operation that caught the perpetrator trying to sell the equipment red handed.
The employee had stolen a machine known as a ‘botch’ and was attempting to sell it to a community member. He was reported and the City worked with the community member to make the arrest.
The Head of the City Investigations Unit, Mbuso Ngcobo thanked the community member for his co-operation. He said, “The Municipality would like to urge the community to work more closely with us so that more arrests of corrupt officials could be made. Without whistle blowers, we will not be able to catch these criminals.”
The eThekwini Municipality would like to reiterate its commitment to eradicating fraud and corruption from the organisation.
Numerous strides have been made in this regard, from the establishment of the Municipal Public Account Committee (MPAC) who hold municipal officials accountable for any behaviour out of line with policy and procedure to the establishment of the City Integrity and Investigations Unit who investigate complaints of fraud and corruption within the organisation. The Audit and Risk Management Services have also stepped up efforts to ensure that a clean administration and good governance prevails.
City Manager, Sibusiso Sithole commended the City Integrity and Investigation Unit and Metro Police for their quick action. He said, “The Municipality is committed to stamping out corruption from within its ranks and has employed a zero tolerance stance against all those who attempt to defraud the organisation and bring it into disrepute. Harsh measures are in place to dissuade this form of misbehaviour.”
The Municipality urges the public to report any instances of fraud, corruption, maladministration, and human rights violations within the Municipality to the City Integrity and Investigations Unit.
A toll free line is available on 0800 202020 or complaints can be emailed to ombuds@durban.gov.za. The unit is based on 10th floor, Rennies House, 41 Margaret Mncadi Avenue, Durban. The public can be assured that all reports are treated with the strictest confidentiality and with discretion.
To report acts of fraud and corruption against councillors of the Municipality, contact the Speakers office on 031 311 2002.
