Suspended KwaDukuza municipality chief financial officer (CFO) Shamir Rajcoomar wants the public and media to be given access to an inquiry probing his fitness to hold office.
Rajcoomar, who has been the CFO of the KwaZulu-Natal north coast-based municipality for 17 years, was placed under precautionary suspension on allegations of financial impropriety, a claim that he denies.
Through his legal representative advocate Saleem Khan (SC), Rajcoomar contends that the matter is of public interest, and as such the should be granted access to his hearing.
“I draw your attention to this because Rajcoomar does not object to media coverage, in fact promoting access to the public in furtherance of his stance for transparency,” reads a submission made by Khan to the chairperson of the inquiry advocate Ndumiso Xulu.
“He wants everyone to know what the charges are.”
On the other hand, the municipality argues that public access should be denied at all costs because the hearing is not for public consumption.
Instead, said the municipality, the hearing is a labour relations matter between the employer and employee.
Rajcoomar believes he is a victim of political squabbles between ANC members vying for control of the municipality’s purse.
His assertions were corroborated by a whistleblower who made claims that the municipal executive director of planning and human settlements, Sikhumbuzo Hlongwane, and municipal manager, Nhlanhla Mdakane, worked in cahoots and bypassed the CFO to fraudulently award a R30-million tender to repair bridges without following proper procedures.
“The CFO only came to know about the appointments when she was requested to approve payments, but she refused on the basis that she would be held accountable when the auditor-general picks up the expenditure.
“The funds used became wasteful expenditure, but until today no one has been held accountable.”
Last week, the ANC in KwaDukuza submitted a memorandum calling for the head of ANC mayor Lindiwe Nhaca Mdakane, Hlongwane and other senior officials.
Among their list of demands is for a forensic probe to be instituted to investigate the allegations.
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