GQEBERHA - Key payment files destroyed in an office flood -- an audit disrupted by an event seemingly outside of human control.
But this is not the first fiscal review to be stalled.
Another was thwarted by a fire.
And now questions are being asked about possible sabotage in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.
Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor Babalwa Lobishe says she has no idea what caused the office flood that damaged key audit documents.
It happened overnight last Tuesday, and municipal authorities only found out about the incident the following day.
Lobishe says the timing is suspicious, especially with the Auditor-General currently auditing the metro's finances.
The Municipal Public Accounts Committee chairperson says this isn't the first time something like this has happened.
The mayor believes the damage will not affect the audit report much, given that half the work has already been completed.
Still, the municipality is investigating the matter internally and has opened a case for police investigation.
- eNCA's Nceba Ntlanganiso reports.