The Louis Trichardt branch of the United Democratic Movement (UDM) has demanded the release of the forensic audit report on allegations of corruption and maladministration against the Makhado municipal manager, Ms Faith Mutambi.

In a letter to the MEC of Local Government and Housing, the Provincial Premier and the mayor of the Makhado Municipality, Councillor Langanani Mashau (UDM provincial secretary) says a service provider was appointed last year to conduct the forensic audit, following a Council resolution. He says they had since learnt that the report was handed over after the task was completed in November last year, but has since not been re-leased. Mashau said taxpayers’ money was used to fund the investigation and it is therefore in the public interest that the contents of the report should be revealed.

Mashau warned that a delay in releasing the findings of the report would raise several questions, including whether the Makhado Municipality is able to adhere to the democratic principles of promoting accountable and transparent governance.