Five City employees suspended for alleged misuse of municipal resources

eThekwini Municipality say they are cracking down on fraud and corruption in the city.

Five employees were suspended for alleged misuse of municipal resources - they were caught laying asphalt tar at a house on Jabu Ndlovu Drive in Verulam, north of Durban.

They were spotted and subsequently reported to the City Integrity and Investigations Unit’s Forensic Investigating Team on February 17, said eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana.

“The employees allegedly used a Municipal truck to lay asphalt tar at a private residence,” she said. “A Supervisor Driver was arrested while the other four men fled the crime scene. The Supervisor Driver appeared at the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on February 18, and was granted bail. The four employees who fled the scene have been suspended.”

Head of the City Integrity and Investigations Unit, Jimmy Ngcobo, applauded the employee who reported their colleagues, saying the whistleblower took a firm stance against fraud and corruption.

“We will not tolerate this behaviour in the workplace. From the reports received, these employees have been visiting this household frequently to lay asphalt tar,” said Mr Ngcobo. “The Municipality has adopted a zero-tolerance stance against fraud, corruption, and the violation of human rights. Ignoring work principles will destroy the operation of the municipality. Stealing is done deliberately, and they knew what they were doing is against the law. Such employees do not deserve to be working for the municipality.”

The most recent arrest comes after six municipal employees were arrested for the theft of asphalt tar in Inanda in November last year. They were found transporting the asphalt tar and failed to produce a job card to explain why and where they were transporting it to. These employees are still on suspension, said Ms Sisilana.

Mr Ngcobo said employees ignoring workplace rules and policies will be harshly dealt with. He reiterated that managers and supervisors must implement control systems to combat fraud and corruption.

“Let us work together to protect the image and reputation of the municipality by rooting out fraud and corruption whenever it rears its ugly head,” he said.

Report fraud and corruption to the City Integrity and Investigations Unit on 0800 20 20 20 or 031 311 4002 or email: ombuds@durban.gov.za