AG ROPED IN TO RECOVER FUNDS FROM FORMER MPs

LOBAMBA – The attorney general (AG) has been roped in to recover public funds from two former Members of Parliament (MPs).

The two former MPs, who are alleged to be causing the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development difficulties in recovering the public funds, are former Motshane Inkhundla MP Robert Magongo and former Mangcongco Inkhundla MP Patrick ‘Pha’ Motsa.

The development concerning the AG’s involvement was communicated yesterday when the Ministry of Tinkhundla Administration and Development appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to respond to audit queries raised by the AG during the audit of the ministry’s financial records.

The former Mangcongco MP is said to have been hindering the ministry’s efforts to recover E9 435 in public funds. This amount represents his share of the money owed after the discovery of nearly E800 000 in taxpayer funds wasted on an incomplete water project in his constituency.

The wastage of the funds was identified by the AG in the financial year ending March 31, 2017. The AG reported that a water project at Dwalile, under Mangcongco Inkhundla, was abandoned before completion, despite government purchasing materials worth E799 443.64.

Investigations

Further investigations revealed that the project should not have commenced before securing a water source for the borehole, intended to serve over 300 people, including a school. The question arose as to how the project proceeded to the material purchasing stage without a water source.

The officials, including the MP allegedly responsible for the failed project, were ordered to repay the wasted State funds after an investigation by ACC. According to an update provided by the controlling officer and Principal Secretary Nonhlanhla Dlamini, the former MP continues to refuse to repay his share of the damages.

“The Office of the Attorney General advised the ministry on the necessary particulars of the former MP to proceed with instituting civil proceedings against him. The ministry submitted the requested information to the office of the attorney general,” she said.

Former Motshane MP Robert Magongo, on the other hand, is allegedly avoiding repayment of slightly over E15 000 following a motor vehicle accident that resulted in government expenses exceeding E339 000. The AG reported that the ministry incurred expenses of E339 507.59 for repairing accident-damaged vehicles in the financial year  March 31, 2019. According to the update presented by the controlling officer, one officer involved in the accident has repaid their portion, but the former Motshane MP is refusing. This has led to the matter being referred to the AG’s Office.

“The officer responsible for damages to vehicle GSD 102 TI has fully serviced his debt. For damages on GSD 002 TI which amounts to E15 000 that has to be paid by the former MP, the AG has advised that the matter awaits allocation of trial dates at the High Court,” she said.

After observing the difficulties the two former MPs are accused of having caused, PAC Vice Chairperson Manzi Zwane insisted that they should not be allowed to escape repayment of the public funds.

Ngwemphisi MP Bhekibandla Vilakati asked the ministry for the former MPs’ reasons for not repaying the funds. However, responses could not be shared as the matter was pending in court.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: