Nkabi Andrew Hlubi, former acting municipal manager of the MafubeLocal Municipality (Mafube), appeared in the Bloemfontein High Court on Friday 10 September, on charges of fraud and corruption. Hlubi, who was previously the chief financial officer at Mafube Local Municipality, filled the post of municipal manager after former municipal manager Isaac Radebe was suspended by the council, and placed on special leave. During the 30-month period of his suspension, Radebe received more than R3M as salary from Mafube. No disciplinary inquiry or any action was ever taken against Radebe.
According to the Hawks' spokesperson, Hlubi awarded tenders to a company called Pit Dog Trading who, after every payment the municipality made to them, paid a portion of the money into the Hlubi bank account. Irregularities in the appointment of consultants and contractors were repeatedly pointed out in the reports from the Auditor-General and from this it emerged, among other things, that a company had been appointed to provide the municipality with an internet network at a cost of R398 209.98, but R23 068 861.05 was paid out to that company. Despite these massive costs, it is doubtful whether any such network exists.
In another highly irregular case, a bid was awarded to a company for the fencing of cemeteries at R 62 837 838.47 instead of a lower, more realistic bid for R7 963 000.00. To date, Mafube Business Forum (MBF) is not aware of any fencing that has been done at cemeteries.
In a forensic investigation report it was also pointed out that instructions had been given by the municipal manager (Hlubi is not specifically mentioned), that cash money paid in by the public at the municipality should not be banked but handed over to him. MBF reported on this earlier this year and recommended that residents avoid making cash payments to the municipality.
MBF invites residents, business owners and taxpayers who want to get involved in community initiatives to visit our offices at 18A Church Street Frankfort, during our business hours, Mondays to Thursdays from 08h30 to 16h00, Fridays from 08h00 to 12h30. Also contact Marina via WhatsApp at 079 145 4295 or send an email to info@mafubebf.org
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