In June this year, the FF Plus sent an application in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to North West's provincial Treasury requesting a copy of the full forensic report on the Matlosana Local Municipality's (Klerksdorp, Stilfontein, Orkney and Hartbeesfontein) irregular expenditure that amounts to R1,8 billion.
A summary of the findings of an investigation by Open Water Advanced Risk Solutions was tabled in the municipal council in September 2016 already.
The FF Plus has since asked the Municipality to disclose the final report numerous times.
The report indicates, among other things, that large-scale irregularities in the Municipality resulted in irregular expenditure amounting to R1,8 billion.
In 2015, North West's provincial Department of Finance appointed the company to investigate financial irregularities in the Matlosana Municipality.
But since then, the report has been shrouded in secrecy as in April this year, the Municipality told the FF Plus that it is not in possession of the final report.
Moreover, none of the persons allegedly responsible for the irregularities have been prosecuted since 2016.
The Municipality claimed that the provincial Treasury is in possession of the final report because it had appointed the forensic investigator.
But in the latest turn of events, the provincial Treasury yesterday rejected the FF Plus's PAIA application and stated that the contents of the full report, as requested, is privileged information.
No further explanation or reasons for the decision were provided.
The FF Plus will appeal the decision to ensure that the facts are brought to light.
It is an absolute disgrace that the North West provincial government is seemingly cooperating in a bid to cover up serious irregularities with tax money, while the province's residents have very poor to no service delivery.
The provincial Treasury has clearly made no attempt over the past six years to prosecute the perpetrators, despite its legal obligation to do so and the comprehensive evidence at its disposal.
It is ironic that the amount in question is nearly equal to the estimated R2 billion that the Municipality currently owes for water and power.
In fact, Eskom recently obtained a court order to seize the Municipality's bank accounts in an effort to collect Matlosana's outstanding debt for power, which amounts to R1,1 billion.
This matter once again highlights the level of deep-rooted corruption and mismanagement in government institutions run by the ANC.
Apparently, cadre interests are protected above all else, regardless of the serious damage it causes the country and its people.
South Africa deserves better than the ANC.
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