DA Calls for Investigation of Possible Fraud in EPMO

by Cllr Bill Rundle — DA Member of Infrastructure in Ekurhuleni

Source: The SA-Mag

Date: 09 October 2020

Release: Immediate

Type: Media Statement

At the recent council sitting, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) brought a motion, requesting council to undertake a Forensic Investigation into the Enterprise Project Management Office (EPMO) and related transactions with the Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA).

The EPMO is responsible for the oversight and orderly management of all the Capital Expenditure (CapEx) projects in CoE. CapEx are funds that are used to upgrade and undertake new projects. Worryingly, many projects have stalled, are incomplete and wasteful expenditure has taken place. This affects the timely provision and quality of service delivery to residents across Ekurhuleni.

In our motion, we detailed how the EPMO had failed to achieve in its projected Key Performance Indicators, as well as the payment of in excess of R 80m to suppliers for material delivered on and off-site when it was not actually delivered, highlighting the lack of oversight when projects involving the DBSA.

We also highlight that issues raised by the Auditor General appear to not have received the necessary attention and compliance to rectify it.

In essence, Metro is not serious about curbing and stopping fraud and corruption by refusing to investigate the EPMO and the DBSA transactions in the metro. By not allowing the DA’s motion, the ANC-led City is allowing possible corruption to go unchecked. The Executive Mayor, Cllr Mzwandile Masina indicated in his speech and response to the motion that he did not want to be seen as a mayor who is presiding over a corrupt metro. But, his failure to take up our challenge to undertake a Forensic Audit in the EPMO and support our motion, confirms his apparent lack of intent to fight corruption.

The DA is serious about dealing with corruption and will not tolerate ratepayers money been wasted. This matter has been referred to the oversight for further elaboration and here, we will ensure that the EPMO is investigated and any possible corruption or mismanagement gets dealt with decisively. We cannot allow our residents to bear the burden of poor governance.

Media Enquiries

Cllr Bill Rundle

DA Member of Infrastructure in Ekurhuleni