/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Ekurhuleni welcomes the arrest and court appearance of individuals implicated in the R36 million waste management scandal that fleeced the City of Ekurhuleni (CoE) of R9 million.

As far back as 2018, the DA has called for those involved in this gross mismanagement of public funds to be brought to book.

The unlawful contract awarded by the CoE was for the procurement of 70 Tuk-Tuk waste management vehicles – the majority of which were substandard.

These were procured from Enviro-Mobi, whose former Director, Mr. Puleng Mabe, was an ANC Member of Parliament at the time and is believed to have pocketed R3.5 million from the deal.

The DA has consistently called for transparency and accountability in public procurement processes, and we are pleased to see justice being served through the efforts of the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).

Corruption of this nature not only deprives the residents of Ekurhuleni of essential services, but also erodes public trust in local government.

The DA will ensure this matter continues to receive the attention it deserves at the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC).

Corruption has been a barrier to effective service delivery in the CoE and this case must serve as a warning to others who seek to abuse their positions for personal gain at the expense of residents.

Issued by Cllr Tiaan Kotzé - DA Ekurhuleni Deputy Spokesperson on Environmental Resource and Waste Management