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EThekwini municipality determined to crack down on criminal activity

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The EThekwini Municipality is cracking down on criminal activity within the municipality.

This is the message from municipal officials who addressed the International Fraud Awareness Week in Durban.

The event was aimed at raising awareness and encouraging all people to take part in fighting fraud and corruption.

The Durban seminar was used as a platform where different role players discussed efforts to fight corruption ravaging businesses and government institutions in South Africa.

Speakers believe the event explored new strategies of combating high crime levels.

EThekwini Municipality’s Integrity and Investigations Unit head, Mbuso Ngcobo, says the city has committed itself to decisively deal with crime.

“We obviously do investigate the allegations that implicate people regarding corruption. We have had a number of successes to finalise the number of investigations. There are dismissals; there are number of companies that have been blacklisted, as well as that were found to be implicated in corrupt activities. There are a number of cases registered with SAPS being investigated criminally. We have a number of convictions emanating from our investigation. We have established the board that will assist us fight the scourge of fraud and corruption. The board is an advisory body to the council.”

Keynote speaker, Peter Goss of Sizwe Ntsaluba Gobodo Forensic and Auditing firm, says officials and investigators know who commits crimes, but are reluctant to act.

Goss says people should not look very far to check the beneficiaries of the 2010 soccer World Cup in South Africa. He says the black majority remain sidelined from the mainstream economy.

“You all know that no World Cup stadium was built in this country by anyone, but one grouping; no multiple grouping was involved in building any World Cup stadium as a minor or mini contractor in South Africa. The real players – the top 15 construction companies do not represent this country’s demographics. We simply are telling the truth about where the real money moves.”

EThekwini councillor, Nkosenhle Madlala says the city has now adopted a zero tolerance stance against corruption.

“Rampant fraud and corruption has been identified as a significant risk that threatens the sustainability of public resources and service delivery. It is among the most serious obstacles to governance, economic and social development. The CIU receives allegations and complaints relating to fraud, corruption and maladministration directly from the complainants and whistle blowers. We urge the public, together with municipal officials to report any suspicions of crime, fraud and maladministration to the CIU. This unit assist in ensuring that fraud and corruption is rooted out within EThekwini Municipality.”

The Ethekwini Municipaliy believes the fraud awareness seminar will lessen fraud and promote awareness.

The Fraud Week is observed worldwide to curb criminal behaviour.

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