DA calls for convictions after Maruleng arrests
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has welcomed the arrest of seven suspects linked to alleged fraud, corruption, theft and money laundering involving the Maruleng Local Municipality, but says arrests must lead to prosecutions, convictions and consequences where guilt is proved.
DA Limpopo Provincial Spokesperson for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, Jacques Smalle, said the allegations were serious, with the Hawks indicating that building plan application fees were allegedly diverted into personal bank accounts instead of being deposited into the municipality’s account.
The alleged conduct resulted in an estimated municipal loss of more than R1.16 million.
Smalle said the DA could verify only a handful of recent convictions involving municipal officials despite numerous arrests across the province.
He cited several recent cases, including the arrest of Blouberg Municipal Manager Refilwe Ramothwala over an alleged irregular security-services tender involving more than R11 million, as well as arrests linked to alleged fraud and corruption investigations at Mogalakwena, Molemole and Elias Motsoaledi municipalities.
“Arrests alone are not accountability,” Smalle said, calling for cases to be investigated and prosecuted without unnecessary delays.
He said municipal corruption affects residents directly because money allegedly stolen from municipalities could otherwise be used to repair roads, maintain water and sanitation infrastructure and improve electricity services.
Smalle also called on municipalities to take disciplinary action where sufficient evidence of misconduct exists, saying consequence management should accompany criminal investigations.
“Limpopo does not need another cycle of allegations, arrests and cases that disappear into the system,” he said.
The DA called for public money to be recovered and for consequences to follow where wrongdoing is established
