Fight against crime and corruption

A Forensic Audit was carried out last year on the financial affairs of the uMngeni Municipality in Howick, Kwa Zulu Natal, and the outcome of the audit implicated top management, within the municipality, of fraud and corruption according to Mr. Jeff Payne of the Howick Ratepayers Association. As yet, the Forensic Audit has not been made public and the ratepayers are demanding transparency in the financial affairs of the municipality.

Over 2000 concerned ratepayers from all walks of life and color, joined hands today as they took to the streets in a peaceful march to deliver a 5500 signature petition to the Premier of Kwa Zulu Natal, Dr. Z L Mkhize, at the uMngeni Municipality offices in the small farming community town of Howick, Kwa-Zulu Natal. The ratepayers want the Premier to investigate the Forensic Audit and take action against those involved in criminal behavior. As the Premier was unavailable to accept the petition, the chairperson of the uMngeni Joint Ratepayers Forum, Mr. Ric Busa, handed the petition to the Premiers representative, Dr. Dorning, who in turn gave an undertaking, on behalf of the Premier, to look into the allegations of fraud and corruption within the uMngeni Municipality and report the findings to the committee of the uMngeni Joint Ratepayers Forum.

Ms. Shannon Rushworth, a concerned ratepayer, addressed the crowd assuring them that in her past dealings with the Premier, Dr. Z L Mkhize, while he was the MEC for Health in Kwa Zulu Natal, she found him to be a man of integrity and believed that he would look into the matter.