The Hawks are investigating the Limpopo MEC for sports, arts and culture for allegedly relocating the site of a new R23m community library from Dumela village to a neighbouring village that had not applied for it.
The Dumela village community development forum made a complaint of corruption last month against MEC Thandi Moraka who allegedly instructed that the library be moved to Mulamula village in 2019. The building is almost finished. Dumela and Mulamula, in Malamulele, are less than 5km apart.
Hawks spokesperson Cpt Matimba Maluleke confirmed that they are probing the matter.
“Allegations of corruption are being investigated. The case was opened last month,” he said.
Sowetan understands that the case was opened at Malamulele police station.
According to the chair of the community forum, Dayson Dumela, Moraka announced during a community meeting that the library would no longer be built at Dumela village.
“MEC Moraka came and briefed a meeting held at Mzamani Primary School in March 2019. In the meeting, Moraka announced that the approved library will [now] be built in Mulamula,” he said.
Dumela said the sudden change came as a shock to residents of Dumela.
“We want the Hawks to probe the whole process; why our efforts to apply for a library were purely undermined. We had already earmarked a site for our approved library and if we don't fight for this one we will never get any,” he said.
Moraka said she was not aware the Hawks were investigating her.
“However, what I know is that the department has taken the right decision to build the library where it is,” she said.
Moraka said there were two groups involved in a traditional leadership battle and they were using the library in the fight.
“When I met with the community members I told them not to allow their infighting to affect development. For me it doesn't matter because the villages are close to each other and they can still use the library,” she said.
The local induna, Mafemani Dumela, said they were convinced that corrupt activities influenced the decision to relocate the library.
“We believe that the Hawks will be able to uncover all the shenanigans we are subjected to. I can tell you that there is no evidence that the other village applied for the library but why would someone take our landmark development?” he asked.
Security guards were keeping a close eye on the building during Sowetan's visit this week.
About 90% of work appeared to have been completed on the library, with the roof, pavement and windows installed.
Mulamula resident Khensani Baloyi said: “There was never a meeting to inform us about a library development in our village. When there is a government project we are all called to a meeting. With the library I didn't know anything. I later heard that people were hired to work there.”
Baloyi said she was aware that there was talk that the library belonged to Dumela village.
“I'm aware that the library was supposed to be built in Dumela and I thought the matter has been resolved. The building is here now and they should let it be because there are young people here who need to use it,” she said.
Pretty Mathebula, also of Mulamula, said the library would make a big difference in her village.
“I'm happy that our children will be able to study closer to home and in a decent building. Our children will stop studying in their bedrooms or at their friends' houses because government has now built us a library,” she said.
The community development forum revealed that they will include premier Stan Mathabatha in their court action opposing the “unlawful relocation of the library”.
The matter is scheduled to be heard in the Limpopo high court in Polokwane on May 26.
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