Question NW577 to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
25 March 2024 - NW577
Smalle, Mr JF to ask the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
(1)With reference to the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, Act 56 of 2003, Material Irregularity 2021-22, in terms of which 13 material irregularities were found by the Auditor-General South Africa against municipalities investing R1,6 billion into VBS, while R109,43 million was recovered through the liquidators of VBS, what total amount has been recovered from officials and/or individuals highlighted in the reports of the various investigations; (2) whether each of the municipal managers responsible for depositing grant funding into VBS was sanctioned; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details in each case; (3) (a) what are the relevant details of how the R109,43 million was redistributed and (b) which grants and projects were affected in each case?
Reply:
It is our understanding that the transgressions (non-compliance with the Municipal Investment Regulations) in relation to the VBS investigations is currently before the courts. We are therefore unable to provide any comment in this regard at this point in time.
End.