MAHIKENG MAIL - MAHIKENG: Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality has confirmed that the South African Police Services (SAPS) conducted a search and seizure operation informed by allegations levelled against officials last week Thursday.
The municipality was bombarded by SAPS national Cold Case investigators and Special Task Force members from early in the morning on Thursday, 30 October. They were instructed to close the municipality to conduct a search and seizer operation targeting some of the municipal officials’ electronic gadgets including cell phones and laptops.
All municipal officials and staff were also instructed to not leave or enter the premises of the municipality while the search was ongoing. The municipality has in the past experienced challenges and criticism from the public over ongoing allegations of corruption, which affected service delivery of water to many communities in Ngaka Modiri Molema district.
The municipality was previously closed by a mob accusing the municipality of rampant corruption, which was followed by the South African Civil Organization (SANCO) leading a protest march against the municipality.
The municipality has since apologised for the inconvenience caused to critical municipal services as they allowed due processes to unfold while the employees resumed with their duties on Friday.
Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said the operation led by SAPS national Cold Case investigators and Special Task Force members related to the search and seizure operation about ongoing investigations of corruption unfolding in the Ngaka Modiri Molema Municipality.
“This is the first phase of many operations to come on addressing these allegations. The investigations are at an advanced and sensitive stage,” Brig Mathe said.
