SAPS must lay charges against Linda Mti and prosecution must commence 

30 June 2016

The investigation into Linda Mti’s involvement in a multi-billion rand fraud and corruption scandal has gone on for almost 10 years; this is a clear-cut case, charges must be laid and prosecution must commence immediately.

The DA rejected Mayor Jordaan’s proposal to appoint Linda Mti to NMB’s head of safety and security on the grounds of his criminal history and involvement in this fraud scandal, but the ANC used its 2-seat majority to ram this through. The ANC has once again shown its commitment to keeping corruption in the Bay by forging ahead with this controversial and inappropriate appointment.

The DA has studied the SIU report into fraud and corruption by Bosasa and Linda Mti, and taken extensive legal advice on the matter. We have today presented the South African Police Service with the SIU report and a 12-page charge sheet drawn up by our legal team, outlining, with substantive evidence and legal reference, 3 counts of fraud and 2 counts of corruption against Linda Mti.

The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv. Shaun Abrahams, this week confirmed in writing that the police investigation is still ongoing and that the NPA cannot consider prosecution until this is complete.

We urge the South African Police Service and the Hawks to conclude their investigation, and to officially lay these recommended charges against Linda Mti so that prosecution can commence without delay.

Not a single NMB official implicated in corruption has been charged, or gone to jail, as the ANC predictably continues to protect fraudsters at the expense of service delivery and jobs.

The DA understands that corruption in this municipality will be stopped by cooperating with the SAPS, opening criminal cases where necessary, conducting end-to-end forensic audits and enforcing municipal by-laws, which we will do from our first day in office.

The Auditor-General has confirmed year after year that DA governments are by far the most effective at keeping corruption out.  The City of Cape Town has received consecutive years of unqualified audits since the DA came into government in the Metro, confirming our commitment to clean governance.

It is this smart and effective style of governance that confirms the DA’s commitment to stopping corruption in its tracks.

We are ready to stop corruption in the Bay, so that better services can be delivered to our people and jobs can be created.

Issued by Athol Trolliip, DA Mayoral Candidate for Nelson Mandela Bay, 30 June 2016