Ex-Casablanca Mayor Probed for Alleged Financial Improprieties

Thursday 01 August 2024 - 16:44

Mohammed Sajid, the former mayor of Casablanca, is currently under investigation by the National Judicial Police Brigade (BNPJ) for suspected financial mismanagement during his tenure, as reported by multiple sources.

The investigation was sparked by findings from the Court of Audit, which indicated financial irregularities in the city's administration, particularly in the management of Casablanca’s slaughterhouses. The reports highlighted inconsistencies in the delegation of slaughterhouse operations, initially handed to a Turkish company that subsequently withdrew, leaving a trail of unresolved financial and operational issues.

The Court of Audit also flagged substantial unexplained expenditures, including over MAD 19 million in utility bills for the slaughterhouses between 2008 and 2011. These costs were allegedly improperly transferred to the city by the management firm, in violation of contractual agreements.

While the BNPJ investigation is still in its preliminary stages, it is uncertain whether the focus will remain solely on the slaughterhouses or expand to other areas of the city’s administration. The names of other officials and business figures involved in the investigation have not been disclosed.

This ongoing probe adds Sajid to a growing list of officials under scrutiny for the mismanagement of public funds. A series of similar investigations into municipal governance have been conducted across Morocco, aimed at bolstering transparency and accountability in public administration.

In April, high-ranking officials in the Fes-Meknes region were investigated for the mishandling of public funds. The inquiry was initiated following complaints from a caterer who claimed they were owed over MAD 18 million for services rendered during official celebrations and events.

Earlier in February, the Casablanca Court of Appeal sentenced officials Mohammed Karimine and Aziz El Badraoui to prison for their roles in a case of public fund embezzlement. Karimine, formerly the president of the Bouznika commune, and El Badraoui, the former president of Raja football club and the president of Ozone, an environmental services agency, were both implicated in the scandal.

The current investigation into Sajid's tenure underscores a broader effort to ensure integrity and proper management of public resources in Morocco. As the probe continues, further details are expected to emerge, shedding light on the extent of the alleged financial mismanagement in Casablanca.