FAR NORTH
Bulletin F A R
N O R T H
31 Maart 2017
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Poolgate saga: NEW skeletons The newly appointed chief of the Tzaneen municipal swimming complex, Vikramjith “Vicky” Singh (60), was fired from the very same position at a previous municipality in March 2014. This is according to a source who worked in that metro with Singh. The allegations were confirmed by the Daily Dispatch newspaper in East London who conducted intensive investigations into the matter. According to information, Singh was employed at the Joan Harrison swimming complex in the Buffalo City Metro (BCM), in East London. In January of 2014 he was suspended amid allegations of systematic fraud following a raid on his offices the previous year by the Hawks and the BCM municipal Manager, Andile Fani. The raid followed reports to the municipality of financial mismanagement and theft. Two months later, he was sacked after being found guilty of gross misconduct. An earlier investigative article by the Daily Dispatch revealed that Singh owned two beachfront apartments in Elizabeth Court which he bought for R750 000 each in 2011. The BCM also brought forward reports that Singh had instructed a junior official to perform private work at his private property using council tools, vehicle and while on council time. His lawyer at the time had told the media that Singh wanted to make it clear that his dismissal had nothing to do with
fraud or theft and that he was unhappy with the process and outcome of his hearing. Three years later, Singh is now employed by the GTM to manage its very own municipal swimming bath facility. The history of Vikramjith Singh’s dealings with the Hawks was uncovered during the Ebenezer Mile where he shared a seat on a transport bus to the event with a Bulletin journalist. Singh admitted that he worked at the Buffalo City Municipality before relocating to Tzaneen. Bulletin has asked the GTM spokesperson, Neville Ndlala, for comment on how it happened that a man who was fired from a position in another municipality on charges of gross misconduct, was employed by a separate municipality into the very same position he was fired from? We wanted to know whether background checks had been conducted and whether he truly was the best candidate for the position. We also wanted to know what salary Singh was now earning as a level 8 municipal official. We have received no feedback or comment from the GTM on this matter as all correspondence seems to now be blatantly ignored. — Joe Dreyer joe@bulletin.us.com
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FAR NORTH MED
March 2017
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Avo demand increa
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Shadenetting costin
oen Bl 11
‘n Bielie van ‘n pamp
Donkey abuse uncovered P3
Swansong of a Stalwart P4
Tzaneen’s golden girl Elandri P12