Durban Central police are investigating a break-in at the eThekwini City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) offices, which occurred on Saturday, 15 March 2025. The CIIU is a critical municipal office responsible for investigating fraud, corruption, and maladministration within the city.
The incident has raised concerns about whether sensitive information may have been compromised. eThekwini City Manager, Musa Mbhele, strongly condemned the break-in, urging the police to leave no stone unturned in tracking down those responsible.
“What is of great concern is that the CIIU office, tasked with rooting out fraud and corruption, has been targeted by criminals. However, we will not be deterred in our mission to fight corruption without fear or favour,” said Mbhele.
Ratepayers have voiced serious concerns about the security of crucial files stored at the CIIU, questioning whether documents related to corruption and maladministration have been tampered with or removed during the break-in. They are calling on the municipality to confirm whether any files are missing and to disclose the extent of the damage caused.
Furthermore, the community is demanding clarity on the security measures that were in place at the time of the incident. “How was this office broken into so easily? What level of security was implemented to protect such vital information, and has an assessment been done since the break-in?” asked a concerned ratepayer.
Residents are also calling for accountability. “Has anyone been held responsible for this breach? What steps are being taken to ensure those behind this crime are brought to justice? Is there any security footage from the night of the break-in that could shed light on how this breach occurred?” questioned Ish Praladh, chairperson of the eThekwini Residents and Ratepayers Association.
Additionally, ratepayers are demanding transparency regarding the city’s actions to prevent similar incidents in the future. “How will residents be reassured that their trust in the Integrity Unit is not compromised? What proactive measures will be taken to secure sensitive information moving forward?” Praladh added.
Municipal officials have declined to provide further details, citing the ongoing police investigation. “The matter is under police investigation, and we will not comment further to avoid compromising the sensitivity of the case. For more information, please contact the South African Police Service. The municipality proactively issued a statement last week to inform the public and express concern over the incident. No further comments will be made at this stage.”
The public is encouraged to report any fraud or corruption to the City Integrity and Investigations Unit by calling 0800-20-20-20 or 031 311-4002, or by emailing ombuds@durban.gov.za.
