The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) welcomes the Nexus forensic report’s findings on alleged irregularities, misconduct, corruption and tender fraud in the Swellendam Local Municipality.
Three years ago, the party’s councillor in Swellendam smelled a rat and initiated an investigation that led to the Vermaak report, which identified irregularities and individuals. That report was followed by a further probe that culminated in the Nexus report, which was tabled to the Council again today.
Although the Freedom Front Plus has reservations about certain shortcomings in the Nexus investigation, the positive outcomes are that the Municipality can now remedy flaws in its supply-chain management systems, terminate corrupt relationships and lodge complaints against the individuals named. The law will now take its course as the police, the Hawks and other statutory bodies conduct their investigations and criminal charges are instituted.
It appears, however, that investigators did not interview all implicated parties.
The Freedom Front Plus trusts that this will be rectified during the criminal investigations as witnesses and suspects are questioned and evidence emerges, and that criminal charges will be duly lodged.
Freedom Front Plus Women’s League: The party also has a women’s organization to promote female representation.
What is Fraud? “Fraud” is any activity that relies on deception in order to achieve a gain. Fraud becomes a crime when it is a “knowing misrepresentation of the truth or concealment of a material fact to induce another to act to his or her detriment” (Black’s Law Dictionary). In other words, if you lie in order to deprive a person or organization of their money or property, you’re committing fraud.