Millions in Irregular Expenditure Written off Without Consequences in Ekurhuleni

The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) condemns the Ekurhuleni Metro’s decision to write off more than R211 million in irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure over six financial years (2010/11–2015/16) without holding anyone accountable.

The Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) exposed the facts in a report, yet the Council merely noted it without demanding that any action be taken.

Among the most serious offences are tenders exceeding R10 million which were awarded without the required approval of the relevant accounting officer.

Substantial contracts were also unlawfully extended for more than three years.

Supply-chain rules were repeatedly violated, including double payments for property valuations. Furthermore, fuel contracts were awarded without the compulsory declarations of interest, and critical supporting documents are simply “missing” or cannot be traced at all – making it impossible to prove value for money.

This lack of documentation makes it virtually impossible to hold officials or contractors accountable.

The Freedom Front Plus demands that comprehensive disciplinary and criminal action be taken against the offenders – even those who have already left the Metro.

Where possible, funds should be recovered, and the Metro should disclose the irregular amounts per department.

No irregular expenditure should be written off without clear, public accountability. Moreover, all the companies and directors who unlawfully benefited should be blacklisted.

Taxpayers deserve a Metro where maladministration has real consequences – and is not just documented in another report that disappears into a drawer.

The Freedom Front Plus will keep pursuing and exposing the matter until justice is served.

Freedom Front Plus Community Safety: The FF Plus emphasizes the importance of community safety initiatives.

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