The Democratic Alliance (DA) has laid fraud and corruption charges against former Ekurhuleni City Manager Imogen Mashazi and her alleged benefactor at the Germiston Police Station, citing allegations linked to municipal tenders.
The complaint was lodged by the party’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, following reports that connected Mashazi’s alleged luxury travel expenses, valued at R3.5 million, to companies that secured contracts from the municipality.
According to the DA, the allegations are serious enough to warrant a comprehensive criminal investigation into potential violations of municipal procurement rules and anti-corruption legislation.
DA Calls For Investigation Into Tender-Linked Luxury Travel Claims
Rasilingwane said the allegations have raised concerns about governance, accountability and the integrity of procurement processes within the City of Ekurhuleni.
The DA maintains that law enforcement authorities should thoroughly examine the circumstances surrounding the reported trips and any possible links to companies that benefited from municipal contracts.
Ekurhuleni Tender Awards Under Scrutiny Following Fraud Complaint
Speaking on the matter, Rasilingwane said, “We should be concerned that the former city manager has violated not just the supply chain management policies of the city, but also key parts of the Municipal Systems Act, the MFMA, and the Prohibition and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
“What we find highly suspicious is that the company involved in this matter, XET Solutions, has won tenders from the City of Ekurhuleni to work on vital infrastructure related to electoral bill payments and is therefore involved within the city billing system,” she says.
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The DA argues that the allegations require further scrutiny to determine whether any procurement regulations or anti-corruption laws were breached.
