Ratepayers and political parties have voiced their concern surrounding allegations that there was a burglary on Saturday at the eThekwini City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) offices situated at Rennies Building in Durban.

City Manager Musa Mbhele said the CIIU is tasked with the responsibility of rooting out fraud, corruption and maladministration in the municipality. The municipality said the motive of the break-in was unknown.

The Ethekwini Ratepayers Protest Movement (ERPM)  issued a statement saying that this is the direct result of the City having an internal unit to investigate itself. 

“Investigating itself for its own transgressions has never been a good idea and it’s actually time that an independent unit be set up outside of city hall with external investigators who are independent, anonymous and effective,” ERPM said.

The Ethekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA) president Ish Prahladh said the CIIU is supposed to have tight security because of the sensitive matters it deals with. 

“The municipality gives the impression that fraud and corruption cases, where ratepayers money is stolen, are not important. The public should be informed immediately of what was taken,” Prahladh said. 

EThekwini Executive Committee (Exco) member and IFP Councillor Mdu Nkosi, said he was waiting for the finalisation of the investigation. He echoed Prahladh’s statement around dismal security features around the CIIU offices. 

“Where was the security on duty and is there CCTV footage? This place is supposed to be highly protected.  It is unacceptable and how did the people involved know where to find the items they were looking for?” Nkosi said. 

DA eThekwini Caucus Leader Councillor Thabani Mthethwa described the burglary as a brazen attack on transparency and accountability in the municipality.

Mthethwa said the incident raises serious concerns about the safety of crucial evidence and the extent to which some individuals are willing to go to conceal corruption.  

“It is imperative that authorities act swiftly to investigate this crime and ensure that those responsible face the full might of the law. The city leadership must prioritise strengthening security measures for the CIIU to prevent further attempts to obstruct justice.

“If corruption is to be truly rooted out, those fighting it must be protected. Failure to do so will only embolden those who seek to undermine the rule of law for their own benefit,” Mthethwa said. 

In 2018, the Hillcrest home of former CIIU head Mbuso Ngcobo was invaded by three armed men. His security guard was also attacked and there were claims that boxes of municipal documents were taken.

Ngcobo resigned in July 2023. 

zainul.dawood@inl.co.za 

Source link