Journalist raises alarm over Swellendam roadblock allegedly operated by private company
A journalist is raising concerns about municipal mismanagement after a roadblock in Swellendam was allegedly operated by a private company.
Traffic officers conduct checks at a roadblock. Picture: @Dotransport/Twitter
CapeTalk’s Lester Kiewit speaks with Mickey Mentz, a citizen journalist and editor for News62.co.za, a website covering Route 62 and the greater Swellendam area.
Listen below:
On 30 May, a roadblock was erected in Swellendam where fines were collected by a private company, TMT.
There was reportedly no proper legal oversight, no court officials present, and unauthorised discounts were allegedly offered.
Mentz claims that this is part of a broader pattern of municipal mismanagement.
He adds that he is very concerned about the use of a private company, as the municipality will have to pay the service provider instead of just collecting the funds.
“Where are these funds going? How much of these funds are actually reaching the municipality?”
- Mickey Mentz, citizen journalist
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The municipality denies any wrongdoing.
Scroll up to the audio player for more.
We’ve extended an invitation to the municipality for a right of response, but to date have not received anything.