Tshwarelo Hunter Mogakane
Pretoria - The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has denied claims that it was investigating the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality in Mpumalanga after 10 finance offices at the local government entity were destroyed in an explosion.
Security guards at the municipality were alerted to the incident when hearing a loud explosion that engulfed the finance offices in flames in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
Councillors and workers were alerted to the explosion through the municipality’s WhatsApp notification system.
Those who missed the early-morning messages were unable to access their workstations as police continued to investigate the dusty scene in the wake of the blast.
Provincial police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala confirmed to the Pretoria News that it appeared that the finance building was targeted in a suspected arson attack.
“According to the information, four security guards were on duty when they heard a big bang from the building. On their investigation they discovered that 11 office blocks had caught fire. These are 10 finance offices and one internal audit office.
“The flames were too strong as if ignited with propellants. Two beer bottles with cotton on the lids were found outside the building. Firefighters extinguished the fire, though extensive damage was caused,” said Mohlala.
The brigadier said police had opened a case of arson and an investigation would be undertaken.
“All role-players attended the scene. No arrests have been made yet. The suspects remain unknown. Anyone with information should contact Captain Evans Mashego on 082 319 9732,” he said.
Mohlala declined to comment on whether police were also investigating whether the suspects might be from within the municipality.
According to a councillor, who requested anonymity, the explosion was connected to rumours of a SIU investigation into financial maladministration at the municipality.
“Nobody at the municipality is surprised with the petrol-bombing that took place at the finance offices. There was already panic in the corridors of power due to an unannounced visit by the SIU.
“We all know that once the SIU starts sniffing around, they have been sent from on high. That means some people were about to be arrested. It all makes sense why the finance offices were bombed to smithereens,” said the councillor.
SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said there was no investigation into the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality as there was no proclamation from President Cyril Ramaphosa.
“The SIU is not conducting any investigation in the Bushbuckridge Municipality. There is no proclamation for (such an investigation),” said Kganyago.
Bushbuckridge Municipality spokesperson Pfumulani Thovhakale also denied that the municipality was being investigated at the time of the explosion.
She added that they had no idea how much the damage would cost the municipality.
“We currently do not know of the estimated damage since the site is still under investigation by the police. We will be able to have that information once we are allowed to access the offices,” said Thovhakale.
Pretoria News