Tshwarelo Hunter Mogakane
Pretoria - The EFF and the African People’s Convention have accused government officials and entrepreneurs aligned to the ANC of a conspiracy to destroy the Bushbuckridge Local Municipality’s financial records to conceal dodgy transactions.
Some 11 offices, 10 that housed finance officials and equipment and one that housed internal auditors, were left in rubble following a post-midnight explosion that has since become the talk of the town.
Last Wednesday, security guards working for the municipality were alerted to the crime after they heard a loud explosion. Police are investigating the possibility that the offices were petrol-bombed following the discovery of two beer bottles stuffed with cotton wool at the crime scene.
They are investigating a case of arson, but are yet to make any arrests.
EFF regional leader in Bushbuckridge Surprise Kubayi said the arson case could not be a coincidence.
“We suspect that there is some cover- up in the municipality because of the rot taking place there. Our suspicion is that they burnt the 11 offices because audits will be happening soon.
“The ruling party is making sure that the council does not hold those in positions of responsibility accountable. It’s our view that a forensic team must be deployed from the National Treasury to investigate the dodgy deals that have been going on here,” said Kubayi.
Freddy Mbhandze, the APC spokesperson, said it was suspicious that the security guards had not detected any activity before hearing the explosion.
“The municipality has contracts for security companies that provide security guards on a 24-hour basis. As the APC, we view the timing as suspicious, especially given that an audit office was also torched.
“It leaves us with the suspicion that it might be an inside job.
“We wonder what work the internal audit committee might have done so far (and) what audit queries might have been raised. Are there any internal role players involved like councillors and officials? We therefore call on the law enforcement officials to investigate this matter deep into the roots where our naked eyes can’t see.”
The ANC chief whip at the Bushbuckridge council, Bhunu Malandule, said he couldn’t say whether the fire was an inside job.
“I won’t say I agree or I disagree with the other parties because the matter is under investigation. Let’s allow the police to conclude their investigations,” said Malandule.
Bushbuckridge Local Municipality spokesperson Pfumulani Thovhakale said workers were already back at work.
She said the auditor-general’s work had also begun at the municipality.
Pretoria News