Note to Broadcasters: Please find linked soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Gerhard Strydom.
The DA will write to the MEC for Coghsta, Nono Maloyi, requesting him to initiate an investigation into the criminal charges brought against the City of Matlosana’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Mercy Phetla.
Matlosana CFO Phetla was arrested along with her accomplices, employees of GMHM Construction and Projects, Nomthandazo Mokasule and Matshepiso Mothelesane, on charges of corruption three weeks ago.
Following the arrest, we called for a Special Council Meeting to consider initiating disciplinary action against CFO Phetla. The meeting was held on 25 January 2024. We proposed that an internal investigation be launched, and that CFO Phetla be suspended from her position and barred from entering the municipal building, her offices or to engage with municipal officials until the investigations are finalised.
The ANC abused its majority to protect CFO Phetla and failed to suspend her. She was instead given seven days to reply to the charges against her rather than supply reasons why she should not be suspended pending an investigation. Almost a month since that Special Council meeting, Council has not received a response and neither have we received any indication from the Speaker, Cllr Stella Mondlane, to convene another Special Council meeting to consider this serious matter.
The day before the Special Council Meeting, on 24 January 2024, it is alleged that the Matlosana ANC Caucus paid a visit to the home of a GMHM employee to allegedly discuss the service provider’s outstanding account of almost R1 million. A day after the Special Council Meeting, it is alleged that CFO Phetla paid R2,2 million to GMHM.
The DA has on several occasions raised concerns that CFO Phetla was giving preferential treatment to GMHM. According to normal accounting procedures, contractors are paid 30 days after invoice, however, GMHM, whose contract with the municipality expired 18 months ago, was paid weekly while other contractors were paid almost 4 months after date of invoice.
It is also alleged that CFO Phetla received a Volkswagen Amarok bakkie from the service provider worth R1,4 million as a gift.
This is another example of how the ANC uses its cadre deployment policy to promote corruption. Residents have an opportunity in this year’s election to take back their power and kick the ANC out of government, and vote in a DA-led government with a proven track record of good governance and quality service delivery.