The City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS) has brought in computer geeks and analysts to help root out fraud and corruption and speed up pending investigations.
Songezo Mbambisa and Masingita Vukeya have been appointed as Deputy Directors for Cyber Crime; Winnie Mashele takes over as Assistant Director for Finance while Antoinette Malope, Nomvu Qegu and Wendy Feni are Assistant Directors for Operations.
Mashadi Legong has taken over the administration of the Forensic Information Management Centre.
All these appointees are joining the City for the first time, having worked in various government departments and the private sector before.
Mashele joins the City from the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency, Malope was previously with the Department of Labour; Vukeya hails from Eskom, Qegu was recruited from the Hawks (South African Police Service), while Mbambisa comes from eThekwini Municipality; Feni was with Grant Thornton and Legong comes from Discovery Invest.
They have all signalled the interest and eagerness to learn how the municipality operates.
Vukeya and Mbambisa will set up the GFIS’ War Room, the Cyber Crime Unit, formulate policies and align the structure to relevant legislation and best industry practice.
“This is a mammoth task as there is currently nothing, no tools, infrastructure and human resources, we only have a budget. But thanks to the management’s support, we will be effective in setting up a fully functional and effective War Room in no time,” said Mbambisa.
The new appointees appeared gobsmacked by the amount of alleged fraud and corruption that takes place within the City, but said through working together, the scourge can be eradicated.
Malope says she looks forward to professionalising and re-structuring her unit in an effort to achieve better results. Legong intends setting up a new efficient, digital filing system, which will help her colleagues adhere to stringent deadlines.
GFIS welcomes all new appointees with warm hands and looks forward to fulfilling all the fresh new plans and ideas they bring to the fore.
Written by Tumisho Matsane
