BUFFALO CITY METRO EMBROILED IN SECURITY SCANDAL
EAST LONDON- Two shocking reports have revealed that the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality(BCMM) has spent R13 million on unnecessary VIP protection for councillors who faced no credible threats.
Among them was MMC Siwe Ntsasela, who allegedly received 4 VIP guards for protection despite no evidence of danger. It is also alleged that Ntsasela was given ‘a private executive vehicle, as is befitting for a Mayor or Deputy Mayor.’
The reports one is from the Provincial Police Commissioner, Lt General Nomthetheleli Mene and was submitted to the Metro in October 2023. The second report is a letter that is written and sent by Democratic Alliance(DA) in the metro Anathi Majeke to the Public Protector this month. The letter to the Public Protector is about abuse of funds on security of councillors at BCMM.These two reports have exposed widespread abuse of security resources within BCMM which has cost the municipality that is in cost containment measures.
The police report highlighted that councillors Ntsasela, councillor Kosani, councillor Gxarishe, councillor Clara Yekiso, councilor Ciliza, councillor Goci and officials City Manager Mxolisi Yawa, late Nceba Ncunyana and L Mnxulwa needed protection because of threats into their lives.
However it turned out that Ntsasela, Kosani, Gxarishe, Ciliza, Goci there were no threats in their lives.But Ntsasela, Gxarishe and Kosani received protection. The late Ncunyana, who was shot and killed last year, deserved more security protection that these councillors, a source told Eastern Cape Daily News.
In a letter to the Speaker of the Council, Humphrey Maxhegwana early this year, Majeke said the 2022/23 financial report revealed that R13m has been spent on bodyguards to protect councillors.
“This amount is from the public purse and in the interest of accountability and good governance Council needs to be transparent on these costs,” said Majeke. “A councillor from Democratic Alliance had their security removed based on a South African Police Service report.”
According to the Eastern Cape provincial police Commissioner, these councillors called for protection though they never even opened criminal cases at their local police stations. “This raises questions about accountability and the misuse of public funds as we know that the municipality is on cost containment measures. Senior councilors like Ntsasela should know better,” further revealed the source.
In addition, the report also highlights the tragic case of the late Ncunyana, who had multiple cases opened at different police stations in 2022.The first case was opened in April 2022, the second case was opened in July 2022 while a third case was opened in August 2022.
“Despite these well documented threats on his life, the municipality seemed to ignore him…he died looking for better protection,” said the source.
In her report to Public Protector, councillor Majeke wrote,”The document reveals that the decision to withdraw close protection from three councillors was because no credible threats were found against them.”
In the instance of councilor Ntsasela, it is also important to note that she was given a private executive vehicle, as is befitting a Mayor or Deputy Mayor which is not in accordance with the law,” further wrote Majeke.
Majeke said a number of questions were submitted to the Office of the Speaker, the City Manager, the MEC of Community Safety in the Eastern Cape Xolile Nqatha and MEC of COGTA in the Eastern Cape Zolile Williams and no responses were forthcoming on the basis of confidentiality.”I urge your office to investigate these matters thoroughly,”she said, writing to the Public Protector.
Despite repeated requests for clarification the BCMM has remained silent on the controversy surrounding unnecessary VIP protection for certain councillors, sparking concerns about transparency and accountability.
In our pursuit of transparency and accountability, attempts were made to request comments from the BCMM and the BCM Council Speaker, Cllr Humphrey Maxhegwana. Unfortunately, at the time of publication, we were unable to obtain the necessary information through these channels.
photograph: supplied
24 October 2024