Traditional Affairs suspends official on corruption allegations

Thursday, November 20, 2014

Pretoria - The Department Traditional Affairs says it has placed Khotso Khasu, Chief Director: Institutional Development and Capacity Building, on precautionary suspension with immediate effect.

“The suspension follows allegations of corruption and poor project management and substandard workmanship in the delivery of houses under the auspices of the Reconstruction and Development Programme in Naledi Local Municipality in the North West Province against his company, Khasu Engineering (Pty) Limited,” said the department on Thursday.

The department explained that due to the substandard work, there is litigation currently before the courts involving claims and counter claims against Khasu Engineering (Pty) Limited and the Naledi Local Municipality.

It viewed the allegations in a serious light, especially the fact that Khasu failed to disclose the fact that there is pending litigation between Khasu Engineering (Pty) Ltd and Naledi municipality.

“These allegations, if confirmed to be true, are contrary to the Back to Basics Programme; which among others, advocates for basic infrastructure delivery, good governance and sound financial management.”

The department said Khasu’s suspension will be for 30 days pending the finalisation of an internal investigation.

The investigation will include gathering all relevant information from the municipality and all information gathered during the investigation into the matter.

“We are gathering relevant information from the Naledi Local Municipality and requesting a briefing on the investigations being conducted by the SIU into the aforesaid allegations in order to establish the veracity of the whether Mr. Khasu has any case to answer to and the readiness of the National Prosecuting Authority to prosecute him.” – SAnews.gov.za