Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality’s former municipal manager, Nokuthula Zondani was arrested and appeared in the Komani Magistrate’s Court on allegations of contravening the municipal finance management act (MFMA) and inflating a tender price without consulting council.
The 52-year-old administrator was arrested on Wednesday, August 23.
Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson, Captain Yolisa Mgolodela said, “It is alleged that on September 13, 2019, the municipality entered into an agreement with a particular service provider by awarding a tender for yellow fleet machinery for 36 months starting from October 2019. The service provider was reportedly awarded the contract because it was the cheapest. The service level agreement between the two was for R1.2 million per month for a period of 36 months.”
She said it is alleged in November 2019 in a management meeting called by Zondani, it was suggested that the work of the above-mentioned service provider be increased.
Mgolodela said that the above increase of work or the amendment increase of work was going to have financial implications and therefore the Council was supposed to be consulted for approval which is reported to have never happened.
“The amount was reportedly doubled immediately after the meeting from the agreed price of R1.2 million to R2.4 million per month with effect from December 2019 going forward pending the duration of the contract. The matter was reported to the Hawks for a probe which resulted in the arrest of Zondani on August 23,” said Mgolodela.
“Zondani made her short appearance in Queenstown Magistrate’s Court on the same day of her arrest and was released on R5 000 bail. The matter was remanded to September 11 for Regional Court in East London.”
