The Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements awaits the official and final report from the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) regarding the investigation conducted under the Proclamation No. R.23 of 2020. The investigation sought to investigate the procurement of goods and services in response to the national state of disaster during the COVID-19 pandemic. The period covered by the investigation relates to procurement before 1 January 2010 or after 23 July 2020.
A case in point for the Mpumalanga Department of Human Settlements pertains to providing and installing 247 water storage tanks in schools across the province. In addition, the Department had to supply and install 11 steel water reservoirs in various municipalities to mitigate effects of the pandemic. Furthermore, 129 communities were identified as needy of water and required installation of water tanks and refurbishing boreholes.
The services mentioned above was an intervention by the Provincial Government on water and sanitation services in various communities by installing water tanks and boreholes to mitigate the pandemic. The mandate was to install at the identified locations, and municipalities had to ensure their maximum functioning through water filling and maintenance.
Expounding on the investigation, Department Spokesperson, Mr Freddy Ngobe charged that the Department is committed to clean governance and accountability. “We are yet to receive the report from the SIU, however, suffice to say that we have been cooperating with the SIU and provided them with all information they required timeously”, stressed Ngobe. He further reaffirmed that such cooperation will continue until the Department receives the final report and applies itself accordingly.
Moreover, Ngobe indicated that the SIU recently requested additional information on the same matter which is due for submission before the 14th of July 2023. “As far as we are concerned, the SIU is still continuing with its investigation and we will continue to pledge our cooperation to this effect as we await the final report” , concluded Ngobe.
ISSUED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTORATE
MPUMALANGA DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SETTLEMENTS
CONTACT: FREDDY NGOBE – 013 766 6014 / 082 859 4630/ flngobe@mpg.gov.za