The Citizen reports that the Rustenburg Local Municipality in the North West is said to have been gripped by fear and intimidation of whistleblowers and officials after the halting of payments amounting to more than R250 million to three contractors pending a forensic probe.  

The municipality’s forensic investigation probing the awarding of a number of tenders is said to have sparked the fear, with rumours that hitmen from KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) were in the municipality to silence whistleblowers.  Acting municipal manager Edward Komane sent a letter to Rise Now Trading, KSP Group, and Umkhonto Professional Services, informing them of the decision to halt payments pending the outcome of investigations.  The three contracting companies are said to be from Kwazulu-Natal (KZN) and share the same address in Rustenburg.  A press release by the local directorate of public safety noted that the municipality was concerned about threats of violence, intimidation and potential harm to municipal officials and targeted politicians.  “These threats are viewed in a very serious light and the directorate will be in contact with the SA Police Service to investigate the source of these threats,” it indicated.

• Read the full original of Sipho Mabena’s report in thee above regard at The Citizen

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page