The Freedom Front Plus said that the investigation into alleged corruption and maladministration in the Tshwane Metro Council should be completed speedily and that the planned two years for completion of the probe is too long.

It was announced yesterday (15 November 2010) that the investigation by the Special Investigations Unit (SIU) will be completed over a period of two years.

According to Dr. Conrad Beyers, FF Plus councillor and spokesperson on finance, an investigation regarding serious allegations should be completed within a few months. The council cannot afford to be stuck with corrupt officials and councillors for two more years while the investigations continue.

The FF Plus welcomed the suspension of 15 corrupt officials, but said that is merely the tip of the iceberg.

"The FF Plus demands that initial findings of the SIU should be made public on a regular basis so that action can be taken immediately against the guilty persons. Although we have full confidence in the SIU under the leadership of Willie Hofmeyr, the danger exists that a long, drawn out investigation gives too much room for corrupt officials to hide evidence against them and in so doing derailing the investigation", Beyers said.

The FF Plus finds it strange that the investigation has only now been launched, a few months before the municipal elections, and after the previous mayor was promoted to deputy minister.

According to Beyers the serious allegations concerning maladministration and corruption have existed for years and the investigation should have been launched much earlier. The FF Plus had already in 2008 submitted a complaint with the Public Protector regarding serious allegations of corruption, mismanagement and wasting of taxes.