The South African Police Service (SAPS) is currently conducting a criminal investigation into a former Stellenbosch municipal official for alleged corrupt conduct.
The South African Police Service recently launched a criminal investigation into a former Stellenbosch Municipal official for alleged corrupt conduct. The employee was suspended on 22 July, according to a statement released by Stellenbosch Municipality on 28 July. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, via email correspondence with MatieMedia.
The municipality’s internal investigation into the matter is ongoing in concurrence with SAPS’s criminal investigation, stated Grobbelaar.
Municipality takes action
“The municipality first became aware of possible irregular activities last week,” stated Grobbelaar at the end of July.
The official’s alleged misconduct was detected through additional security systems that had been installed at the traffic department and an initial investigation “conclusively established that the employee had, in fact, acted irregularly”, according to the statement released by the municipality.
The municipality was unable to provide further details about the allegations due to the ongoing inquiries into the matter, said Grobbelaar.
“The official was suspended on Friday, 22 July,” stated Grobbelaar, who added that “the official then resigned with immediate effect”.
Stellenbosch Municipality suspended an official on 22 July due to alleged corrupt dealings, explained Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for the municipality, via email correspondence with MatieMedia. The official’s alleged misconduct was detected through additional security systems that had been installed at the traffic department, according to a statement released by the municipality. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
Municipality condemns corruption
“Stellenbosch Municipality is built on the values of integrity and accountability,” wrote Grobbelaar. “We will always actively promote this culture of good governance and transparency by rooting out any form of wrongdoing.”
“The African National Congress (ANC) hereby take a stand that we will trust on the current rallying party that they will take the necessary steps to investigate and also be transparent,” said Monwabisi Rataza, the ANC public relations representative for the Stellenbosch Council, via written correspondence with MatieMedia.
“Everyone, under the provision of South African law, is innocent until proven otherwise,” added Rataza.
“It makes me trust the municipality more,” said Courtney Froneman, a resident of Stellenbosch. “Because the municipality is not trying to hide anything and they are dealing with it quickly.”
“Letting us know about the allegation and the misconduct allows me to trust them a bit more,” said Scott Jeffreys, another local resident. Jeffreys commended the municipality for “taking decisive action”.
“It shows that they are willing to make a change,” added Jeffreys.
According to Capt Nathalie Martin of SAPS Stellenbosch, the case was not opened at the local police station. By time of publication, MatieMedia was unable to confirm where the case had been opened.
Both internal and criminal investigations are ongoing against a former Stellenbosch municipal official for alleged corrupt conduct. This is according to Stuart Grobbelaar, spokesperson for Stellenbosch Municipality, via email correspondence with MatieMedia. PHOTO: Jamie Venter