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The DA in eThekwini notes that the Municipality corruption-accused City Integrity and Investigative Unit (CIIU) Investigator, Ntuthuko Mntungwa was on Monday granted bail of R10 000 by the Scottburgh Magistrate's Court.
Mntungwa is accused of serious corruption and extortion after he allegedly tried to demand R200,000 from South Coast businessman, Siyabonga Gasa.
This is in exchange for ending a fraud investigation that involved Gasa for a cleaning tender he allegedly received from the city in 2016.
The charges Mtungwa is facing should be taken seriously in order to offer stronger deterrence.
All anti-fraud and anti-corruption initiatives in the city must be publicised, per the city's anti-corruption and anti-fraud policy, which the council adopted in 2007.
This is done to inform staff members and the general public of the council's commitment to taking action against fraud and corruption when it occurs.
It is now widely acknowledged that the unit has been working behind closed doors and has earned a reputation for squashing incriminating investigative reports that implicate dishonest ANC officials, politicians, and shady contractors in the city.
People should be aware of what the CIIU is doing to combat corruption.
The DA will now look into ways to hold the CIIU responsible for all the cases they have handled in the past that involved officials and council members, especially investigations that were postponed due to potential tampering.
We will actively seek to obtain CIIU reports and begin to look at ways of reporting matters that implicated individuals, without any action of alerting law enforcement authorities.
Additionally, we will consider the possibility of submitting a motion to the council for a debate on the unit's operation.
The party will continue to defend the rights of eThekwini's citizens by exposing dishonest government employees, encouraging openness, and serving as an example of good governance in areas where the DA governs.
Issued by Councillor Thabani Mthethwa - DA eThekwini Caucus Leader
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