Note to broadcaster: Please find linked soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Cllr Arista Annandale
The DA in Mahikeng Local Municipality will lay a formal charge with Mayor Tshepiso Mphehlo against the Municipal Manager (MM), Advocate Dineo Mongwaketse, and the Manager in the Mayor’s Office, Mr. Lekgowa Mahole, demanding their immediate suspension.
We will also lay a charge with the Hawks in terms of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act.
This follows a news article that appeared in the latest edition of the Sunday World newspaper (see article attached) detailing allegations of nepotism and fraud against both individuals, including contracts with BLTnP Security and Global Extensive Network Project amounting to about R100 million.
The municipality appointed BLTnP Security in April 2024 for the amount of R63 188 132.40 over a period of three years. This translates to payments of about R1.7m per month, but it is alleged that the monthly payments made to BLTnP Security exceed R2m (see proof of payments for the months of April, May, June, and July attached).
It is further alleged that Mr. Mahole’s address appears on the bid document of BLTnP Security (see document attached) and that his cousin, Alphons Kurata Makhoba, is a director of Global Extensive Network Project, who was recently awarded a tender to upgrade the tennis courts at the Mmabatho Stadium. (See document attached.)
The controversy surrounding the security contract stretches back to when the contract with TJL Security Services ended in February 2023. The MM failed to advertise for tenders, and their contract was renewed for another three months. This renewal continued despite Council’s objections and requests for a report until the MM finally placed the advertisement late last year and proceeded to appoint BLTnP Security without a council resolution.
Other allegations of misconduct, sidelining Council and contravening supply chain processes by the MM and others should also be investigated. These include allegations of the sale of municipal land to politically connected cadres without a council resolution, irregular appointments, and nepotism.
Despite these issues being public knowledge, no action was taken by the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) to address these irregularities.
The DA will not rest until these allegations have been fully investigated and justice prevails.