KZN Treasury steps into iLembe procurement, governance scandal

Staff Reporter

Allegations of irregular procurement, possible fruitless and wasteful expenditure and governance failures at iLembe District Municipality have been referred to KwaZulu-Natal Treasury after being raised before the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA).

The allegations include claims involving procurement processes, financial management and governance failures at the district municipality, which serves KwaDukuza, Mandeni, Ndwedwe and Maphumulo on the province’s north coast.

“As the District Champion for iLembe, I take these allegations very seriously. Where there is evidence of wrongdoing, decisive action must be taken against those responsible, in line with applicable legislation,” said KwaZulu-Natal Finance MEC Francois Rodgers, on Thursday.

Treasury said iLembe District Municipality had already engaged oversight authorities and indicated that it intended to institute an external investigation through an independent body.

“KZN Treasury will work closely with COGTA and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that this matter is addressed in a manner