ine KwaZulu-Natal magistrates will be among 48 magistrates and contractors that the corruption-busting Heath Commission will summon before special tribunals for allegedly being involved in the misappropriation of more than R30-million in State funds. This was announced by Judge Willem Heath in Ulundi on Monday after briefing KwaZulu-Natal premier Lionel Mtshali on a number of cases under investigation by the unit, including management of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) funds intended to help victims of political violence in KwaZulu-Natal.
The scam being investigated against magistrates involves the misappropriation of millions in public funds intended for the maintenance of magistrates' offices."We have concluded the investigations to that matter and we are on the point of issuing summonses to large number of magistrates all over the country. "As far as KwaZulu-Natal is concerned, we have nine magistrates that we will be taking action against as well as a number of contractors. The total money all over the country involves about R38 million," said Heath.
A number of contractors were also accused of making false representations to magistrates, saying they had the proper authority to go ahead with work when they did not. In a meeting described by both both Heath and Mtshali as "fruitful and successful", the two discussed wide-ranging issues around the moves to arrest the tide of corruption in the province and in the country.
On the issue of the controversial RDP funds, Heath said no progress had been made, adding that the unit had applied for a proclamation from President Thabo Mbeki's office. "As soon as that is proclaimed we will attend to that case as it is one of our priority cases," he said.The RDP funds budgeted for helping the victims of political violence in the past two years and managed by the provincial director-general Professor Otty Nxumalo have been dogged with controversy for some time. On Monday, Heath said they were also investigating the department of traditional and environmental affairs. However, he did not elaborate on the nature and scope of the investigation in this regard.
Mtshali welcomed Heath in Ulundi in the "spirit of partnership against all forms of corruption and dishonesty". "His visit ties up with our policy position that we shall not tolerate any form of corruption and self-enrichment. Whatever resources are available at our disposal as government must be used to be best advantage of the poor communities," said Mtshali. He added that right now there was an investigation into transport irregularities and the possibility of fraud in KwaZulu-Natal. "There are quite a number of cases under investigation and therefore it was quite important for Judge Heath to brief me as a head of government so as to offer him all our support and we believe that at the end of it all, we have to develop a culture of honesty as people of the province," said Mtshali.
SourceL IoL
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