Durban — The eThekwini Municipality has reported that it parted ways with an investigator suspected of fraud and corruption.
Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda vowed that the municipality would deal decisively with corrupt elements in its ranks.
This was after the resignation with immediate effect of an investigator in the municipality’s City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) who was suspected of being involved in extortion.
The municipality said the investigator was suspected of being an accomplice of the one who was arrested last week in a police sting operation when he allegedly took a bribe from a businessman on the South Coast.
“When evidence came to light that the accomplice was involved the city served him with a notice of suspension, whereupon he resigned with immediate effect,” the municipality said.
“The investigator who was arrested last week remains behind bars. Disciplinary processes are also under way.”
Kaunda said corruption had no place in the municipality.
“Corruption is our enemy Number One. It robs the poor of essential services. This must send a clear message to all our employees that if they do not conduct themselves ethically, they will be shown the door. We commend the whistle-blower and the speed with which police moved to catch him in the act,” Kaunda said.
The mayor commended the excellent detective work of the CIIU, which exposed the link between the two investigators.
“This proves that the CIIU remains committed to rooting out corruption,” Kaunda said.
He also called on citizens to continue to report any acts of corruption to the authorities.
Unethical behaviour, fraud and corruption incidents related to eThekwini Municipality must be reported to CIIU on 0800 20 20 20 (toll free) or 031 311 4002. Alternatively, they can email Ombuds@durban.gov.za.
Last Monday, the municipality, through Mayor Mondays, said in the 2020/21 financial year, through the CIIU, they were able to recover about R12 million from fraudulent transactions.
During the 2021/22 financial year, 18 companies were blacklisted because of fraud and corruption and in the same period, 49 officials resigned who were under investigation for fraud, corruption and maladministration.
As of October, they have 118 cases under consequence management and 21 criminal cases have been registered with law-enforcement agencies.
Daily News