By Celani Sikhakhane
- uKhahlamba Municipality in Drakensberg bought nine guns and 400 rounds of ammunition with taxpayer money but the weapons went missing.
- Mayor Vikizitha Mlotshwa fears the missing weapons could be linked to the killings in the taxi industry happening in uKhahlamba.
A municipality in the KZN Drakensberg region cannot account for nine guns and 400 rounds of ammunition bought with taxpayer money more than four years ago.
Mayor Vikizitha Mlotshwa of uKhahlamba local Municipality told Scrolla.Africa on Thursday that the Auditor-General flagged the missing weapons. The ammunition cost about R29,000 but never reached the municipality.
“A shotgun was bought but never brought to our asset register. No one knows where it is. Eight firearms were bought but one was never registered and was used. We do not know why. This is a crime on its own,” said Mlotshwa.
The unregistered gun was found in the office of a superintendent who was on suspension and not at work.
Mlotshwa instructed the municipal manager and the director of the traffic department to deal with the matter.
The person who bought the weapons was illegally using a certificate belonging to another official that had been lost many years ago, Mlotshwa said.
When officials tried to open a case, police refused. They told management to consult the municipality’s legal team and submit a report before any case could be opened.
“I suspect there might be foul play in this. My biggest worry is that these 400 ammunition and a rifle might be involved in the killings that are taking place in the taxi industry,” said Mlotshwa.
The municipality is waiting for its legal team to draft the report before it can open a case.
Pictured above: Mayor Vikizitha Mlotshwa of uKhahlamba local Municipality in Drakensberg.
Image source: uKhahlamba local Municipality
