By Libuseng Nyaka
Bloemfontein- Six senior officials in the Cooperative Governance, Department of Human Settlement and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) have been suspended from work until October 31 to allow investigations into alleged maladministration and corruption.
The officials were being investigated for the manipulation of the individual subsidy system, the allocation lists of contractors, advance payments to the contractors, poor or non-inspection by technical staff, said Cogta Media liaison officer Ntai Mokhitli.
The six officials are Mamiki Mokhele Chief Director Housing Programme Management, Coyney Twala Director Priority and Interventions programmes, Fifi Makahaotse Housing subsidies and development, Kaizer Maxatshwa, Housing Development planning and monitoring, Kabelo Koloi Director Management and technical services and Loyiso Ndenze Director Informal settlement and land tenure.
Mokhitli would, however, not say how much money was involved in the alleged corruption stating that the investigation would establish the amount.
He said the investigation followed MEC Olley Mlamleli’s warning that the department would get to the root of the challenges within the department and that whoever was found culpable would be dealt with harshly irrespective of whether the culprit is an official of the department or a service provider.
In a letter signed by the then head of department Gift Mokoena dated October 25, 2011, the department admitted that hundreds of contractors were owed money.
Several contractors were engaged by the department to build low cost houses or RDPs.
While Free State DA spokesperson for Cogta Peter Frewen welcomed the investigation he said it was long overdue.
“The DA had previously brought this matter to the attention of the former MEC , that there had been houses across the Free State as well as building materials that had been purchased in February 2011 with the amount of R360 million,” he said.
Adding, that the Department also needs to be held accountable for R1 billion allocated for housing in the 2011/2012 financial year which the department had failed to account for.