Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya condemns alleged bribery attempt in Mamelodi
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has denounced an alleged bribery attempt by an individual claiming to represent the Somali Association in South Africa as its chairperson.
Image: Oupa Mopkoena /Independent Newspapers
Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has strongly condemned an alleged bribery attempt by an individual claiming to be the chairperson of the Somali Association in South Africa.
The individual sought a private meeting with Moya, apparently to facilitate the reopening of a foreign-run shop in Mamelodi that was closed for violating municipal by-laws.
A video on X captured Moya's conversation with the individual, who suggested a private meeting with her, allegedly to bribe her into reopening the cash 'n carry business.
Moya has shared the video on her X account, showing her rejecting the proposal for a private meeting.
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She added that her administration will not be influenced by threats or bribes.
When Moya questioned why he needed to discuss the business closure with her, the individual replied: "Because you are the head of Tshwane."
The person insisted the business was compliant despite Moya pointing out issues with its structure, specifically that it was built on a servitude and had a fuel tanker inside the building.
'How do you comply without the necessary documentation? How do you comply if you have built on four properties without approvals of the City,' she asked.
In addition, she confronted him about allegations that he had attempted to bribe one of the city's councillors with R150,000 in exchange to have the shop reopened.
'I heard that you have been reporting me to everyone who cared to listen. Is this how you work in your country?' she asked.
The person denied the bribery allegation, prompting Moya to ask why he would disregard South African laws.
'Are we a banana republic to you? Do you come here and do as you please? You don't pay taxes here and you keep cash up to a million rand in your property. You keep illegal immigrants on your property and you want to come and disrespect me? You want to meet with me. What do I say to people who don't respect our laws?'
The person, however, continued to claim compliance, but Moya said: 'You are not compliant. We are not crazy. We can't just tell you that the people who have employed are illegal immigrants if they are not; we are not crazy people. I don't know what you normally do with politicians but I am not that type. You do not bribe me to break the City of my people. You must learn our laws and once you have done that, we can talk.'
During last month's operation in Mamelodi, Moya and metro police raided the shop in question, which had reopened despite a previous shutdown for operating an illegal structure on a servitude.
The owners were found to have forged a City of Tshwane operational certificate. As a result, all goods were seized and authorities also found cash machines and receipts in the living quarters above the shop, showing nearly R1 million in transactions for a single day.
At the time Moya said the individuals were exploiting the country's economy, evading taxes, and breaking the law.
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