In a shocking revelation, the Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Municipality in Vryburg is under intense scrutiny for its alleged irregular and wasteful expenditure exceeding R38 million on a shack call center that, as it turns out, does not even exist. This startling misuse of public funds has sparked outrage among residents and ignited concerns about transparency and accountability within the municipality.
The scandal came to light when a local investigative journalist unearthed the financial irregularities during an in-depth analysis of the municipality's expenditures. The reported R38 million allocated to the construction of the supposed shack call center raised eyebrows, considering the pressing needs and challenges faced by the community, such as housing, education, and healthcare.
In Mo Media’s last week edition, we ran the story headlined “Dr. RSM spends R38 million on priciest shack'', that appeared on page 5. The municipality, under the leadership of Executive Mayor, Mosimanegape Maje, now faces severe backlash from the public, civil society organisations, and opposition parties.
Critics argue that this blatant misuse of funds reflects a lack of proper financial oversight and highlights a disregard for the needs of the community. Residents, already grappling with socio-economic challenges, expressed their frustration and disappointment at the revelation. Many are questioning how such a significant amount of money could be allocated to a project that not only fails to address essential community needs but also seems to be non-existent.
The opposition parties have seized the opportunity to call for a thorough investigation into the matter. The Democratic Alliance (DA) also issued a statement denouncing the waste of taxpayer’s money. The statement read, "This is a clear indication of the municipality's failure to prioritize the needs of its residents. We demand a comprehensive investigation to hold those responsible accountable for this gross misuse of public funds."
The shack call centre scandal raises concerns not only about the apparent lack of fiscal responsibility but also about the overall governance within the municipality. Local civil society organisations are mobilizing to demand transparency and accountability from the municipal officials involved in approving and overseeing this questionable expenditure.
In response to the mounting pressure, Executive Mayor, Maje apparently called an emergency press conference to address the allegations. During the conference, the Maje assured the public that a full-scale investigation would be launched to determine the facts surrounding the reported wasteful expenditure. "We take these allegations seriously, and if any wrongdoing is found, appropriate actions will be taken against those responsible," said Maje.
The provincial government has also weighed in on the matter, expressing its concern and said there is a need for responsible financial management at the municipal level. The then Acting Premier, Nono Maloyi, who returned back to his office at the Department of Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs on Monday, stated at the time of reacting to media reports last week, that: "We cannot tolerate any form of corruption or mismanagement of public funds. We will work closely with the relevant authorities to ensure a thorough investigation takes place."
As the investigation unfolds, residents of Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Municipality anxiously await the outcome, hoping for accountability and a renewed commitment from their local government to prioritize the community's genuine needs over frivolous and non-existent projects. The shack call centre scandal serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust financial oversight and the duty of public officials to act in the best interests of the citizens they serve.
The Dr. RSM municipal representatives were on Tuesday summoned to the Committee on Co-operative governance in Mmabatho’s legislature building, under the leadership of Aaron Motswana to answer questions surrounding the alleged Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati Municipality’s over R38 million wasteful expenditure on non-existent shack call centre.
Meanwhile, the reported R38 million allocated to the construction of the supposed shack call center raised eyebrows, considering the pressing needs and challenges faced by the community, such as housing, education and healthcare.
