Municipality accused of corruption

Over the past few months Northern News received several letters from organisations such as the ANC youth league, the South African National civic Organisation (SANCO) and the Lephalale Business Forum, calling for the resignation of Lephalale Mayor, Jack Maeko and municipal manager, Bob Naidoo.
According to the allegations, which are often accompanied by a lot of name calling, several high-ranking officials within the municipality, including the Mayor and the municipal manager are corrupt.
Communication & Public Participation Manager, Nakampe Monyepao, responded to these allegations in a statement this week calling them baseless and meant to mislead the public.
Monyepao calls on anyone with proof of misconduct on the part of any municipal officer to contact the corruption line on 0800 872 214. “This is a confidential, free hotline which you can contact with any information you may have. We therefore don’t understand why people who claim to love this municipality keep writing open letters, letters to the editors and faceless pamphlets while the simplest way will be to contact law enforcement agencies,” he added.
In almost all the letters Northern News have received reference is made to the R9,5 million that was stolen for the municipal bank account last year. The Mayor and MM are accused of not disclosing evidence regarding the case. In response Monyepao says “The matter has been reported to SAPS and it is now in the hands of the Hawks. It is no longer in the hands of either the Mayor or the municipal manager.”
Monyepao further stated that the municipality and its leadership “have a mammoth task of building Lephalale; so let us forget the hidden agendas and put the people of Lephalale first.”