Umgeni Water CEO Cyril Gamede amicably agreed to leave the water utility at the weekend, despite being cleared of corruption allegations. Gamede was recently suspended pending the outcome of an investigation. This followed the leaking of information about his alleged wrongdoing at the utility. Two members of the utility’s board as well as certain staff members were also mentioned in the leaked emails. A team of accountants and forensic auditors were initially appointed by the board once the emails came to light, and the claims made against Gamede were probed. Gamede was serving his five-year contract with the utility, which would have initially ended on 19 August this year, but was extended by the board for an additional two years. According to Umgeni Water spokesperson Shami Harichunder, the Department of Water and Sanitation is now in control of an investigation that is looking into the named board members and employees. “The investigation will be conducted by a forensic investigation team‚” Harichunder said. General manager of operations Msizi Cele has in the meantime been appointed acting CEO at the utility.
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