Tshwane Council Forms Committee to Probe Modise Forensic Report Findings

Key Takeaways:

• The Tshwane Council has voted to establish an ad-hoc committee to consider the implications of a forensic report that found Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise was unethically benefiting from a company doing business with the municipality.
• The report recommends disciplinary action be taken against Modise for breaching the Councillor’s Code of Conduct.
• Opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA), have criticized the decision, viewing it as a delay tactic instead of immediately sanctioning Modise.
• The DA has announced that it will be opening a case of fraud against Modise.

Introduction to the Controversy
The Tshwane Council’s recent decision to establish an ad-hoc committee to consider the implications of a forensic report has sparked controversy and criticism from opposition parties. The report in question found that Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise was unethically benefiting from a company, Triotic Protection Services, which holds a multi-million rand contract with the municipality. The report’s findings have raised serious concerns about Modise’s conduct and have led to calls for his removal from office. However, the ANC’s decision to establish an ad-hoc committee has been seen as a delay tactic, rather than a genuine attempt to address the issues raised by the report.

The Forensic Report’s Findings
The forensic investigation report found that Modise breached several sections of the Councillor’s Code of Conduct by not declaring his financial interest in Triotic Protection Services. The company currently holds a lucrative contract with the municipality, and the report’s findings suggest that Modise’s failure to disclose his interest in the company constitutes a serious breach of ethics. The report recommends that disciplinary action be taken against Modise, and it is this recommendation that the ad-hoc committee will consider. The committee’s findings will subsequently be presented to the Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) MEC, who will then decide on the next course of action.

Criticism from Opposition Parties
The decision to establish an ad-hoc committee has been heavily criticized by opposition parties, including the Democratic Alliance (DA). The DA’s caucus chief whip, Jacqui Uys, argued that stronger action should have been taken against Modise, rather than simply establishing a committee to consider the report’s implications. Uys stated that the ANC’s decision was a clear attempt to buy Modise more time, rather than holding him accountable for his actions. The DA has also announced that it will be opening a case of fraud against Modise, citing the forensic report’s findings as evidence of his wrongdoing.

The Ad-Hoc Committee’s Role
The ad-hoc committee established by the Tshwane Council will play a crucial role in determining the next steps to be taken regarding the forensic report’s findings. The committee will consider the report’s recommendations and make its own recommendations to the COGTA MEC. However, the committee’s establishment has been seen as a delaying tactic, rather than a genuine attempt to address the issues raised by the report. The committee’s findings will be closely watched, and it remains to be seen whether they will lead to any meaningful action being taken against Modise.

The Way Forward
The controversy surrounding Modise’s conduct and the Tshwane Council’s decision to establish an ad-hoc committee has raised serious questions about accountability and transparency in local government. The DA’s decision to open a case of fraud against Modise has added to the pressure on the ANC to take action, and it remains to be seen how the party will respond. Ultimately, the outcome of the ad-hoc committee’s findings and the COGTA MEC’s decision will determine the next steps to be taken regarding Modise’s future as Deputy Mayor. One thing is certain, however: the controversy surrounding Modise’s conduct will continue to be a major issue in the coming weeks and months, and it will be closely watched by the public and opposition parties alike.