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Independent Newspapers
Former eThekwini Municipality deputy city manager Derek Naidoo has defended himself against the irregular expenditure accusations tabled in the Manase Report. File photo: Puri Devjee
Durban – Former eThekwini Municipality deputy city manager Derek Naidoo has defended himself against the irregular expenditure accusations tabled in the Manase Report, saying he was proud of his conduct while employed by the city.
As with many of the senior management accused of fraud and corruption by Manase – including then-city manager Michael Sutcliffe and then-housing head Cogi Pather – Naidoo has repeatedly asked for a copy of the full report into fraud and corruption in the municipality and its annexures, but has not received it.
He said the allegations had not been put to him for his response.
Naidoo, who was responsible for infrastructure and procurement, is accused of irregular expenditure, and the report recommended that disciplinary action be taken against him.
But this was not done as he – like Pather, who was also accused of irregular expenditure – resigned.
Now their alleged transgressions are the subject of a criminal investigation by the Anti-Corruption Task Team.
After reading the press statement by the MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Nomusa Dube – issued on Tuesday and which summarised the findings of the Manase investigation as well as the recommendation and progress of action – Naidoo said it was clear “I have no case to meet regarding any matter”.
He added: “I am very proud of the manner in which I acquitted myself in all my endeavours as deputy city manager.
“My service delivery record speaks for itself, particularly when compared to now.”
Naidoo said he had not “incurred a single cent of irregular expenditure” or condoned any such expenditure.
“What the public has not been made aware of is that I was part of a collective who enquired into irregular expenditure when such a process had not been undertaken before by any of the major municipalities, and which process enjoyed the blessing of the auditor-general and National Treasury.
“All reports pertaining to irregular expenditure were signed by the respective heads of department who accepted responsibility for the said expenditure and warranted value for money.”
Naidoo said he “merely facilitated” the process of ensuring that the reports were placed before the relevant committees and the council, which approved them. He said he could not comment further without reading the full report and its annexures.
Meanwhile, Zodwa Manase, the owner of the auditing firm Manase and Associates, which undertook the investigation, said she was not at liberty to discuss the report, nor whether the criticisms of her company’s investigation – particularly by Sutcliffe – had affected her business.
“Unfortunately, whether it affects my company or not, I cannot say,” she said.
“The right person to comment on anything is the client, who is the MEC. It would be inappropriate for me to say anything.”
The Mercury
