ActionSA Requests CIIU Head to Investigate eThekwini and ANC Criminality

ActionSA has written to the head of the City Integrity and Investigation Unit (CIIU), Mr Thulani Ntobela, requesting that he launches an immediate investigation into the irregular use of public funds to pay for ANC party activities.

eThekwini’s inaction in the matter of the R5 089 781.40 payment towards the African National Congress Woman’s League (ANCWL) elective conference, which took place at the Durban International Convention Centre (ICC) on the 4^th to the 8^th of August 2023, requires public scrutiny.

We are aware that the final invoice from the ICC totalled R4 794 824.21, which was submitted to the Municipality.

In a damning development, the Deputy City Manager, Mr Sipho Cele’s signature appears on the agreement contract between the Municipality and the ICC.

While we previously wrote to the City Manager, Mr Musa Mbhele, Municipal’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and the ANC Provincial Secretary, Mr Bheki Mtolo, seeking answers in this matter, responses from both Mr Mbhele and Mr Mtolo have been unsatisfactory.

However, after writing to the CIIU Head, we received confirmation that an investigation is currently underway recorded with reference number CIIU-INV 027/08/2023.

In our letter to Ntobela, we requested that his investigation scope focuses on the following:

1. Under what circumstances did Mr Cele see it fit to sign this agreement with the ICC to cover costs for the ANCWL.
2. Who gave Mr Cele the ‘go-ahead’ to sign the document.
3. Besides, Mr Cele, are there other City official or leaders who participated in this act of corruption.
4. What has happened after the Municipality received an invoice from the ICC.
5. Due to the lack of action from City leaders, at what stage did they become aware of this agreement.
6.  Are there any criminal charges that will be taken against those who are implicated in this corruption.
7. What laws have been violated (i.e. Municipal Financial Management Act) in this regard by Mr Cele and others, should more people be implicated.
8. Which senior managers/officials from the ICC are implicated in this corrupt act.
9. The 30-day period of the payment of the invoice to the ICC has lapsed. There needs to be an indication of who paid the R4.7 million invoice.
10. If the invoice was finally paid by an individual or entity outside the Municipality, there has to be transparency of: Who is the Individual/entity; what relationship do they have with the Municipality and if the Municipality has recently made a transaction of the R4.7 million into the individual’s /entity’s account/s.