Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Arista Annandale
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Mahikeng Local Municipality condemns the ANC’s decision to appoint Lekgoa Mahole as the Senior Manager for Corporate Support Services while a case of corruption against him and the Municipal Manager (MM), Advocate Dineo Mongwaketse, is still underway.
The DA last year submitted documents to the Hawks wherein the MM and Mahole are implicated in allegations of nepotism and fraud. This includes the contracts with BLTnP Security and Global Extensive Network Project amounting to about R100 million. It is alleged that Mahole is tied to these companies.
The municipality appointed BLTnP Security in April 2024 for an amount of R63 188 132.40 over a period of three years. This translates to payments of about R1.7 million per month, but it is alleged that the monthly payments made to BLTnP Security exceed R2 million (see proof of payments for the months of May, June, and July attached). To date, an overpayment of more than R1.7 million has been made, and if these irregular payments continue, the overpayment will exceed R60 million over the three-year contract period.
It is further alleged that Mahole’s address appears on the bid document of BLTnP Security 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.
Apart from the case investigated by the Hawks under case number 23/11/2023, Mahole’s perceived irregular appointment as Acting Senior Manager: Operations in the Office of the Municipal Manager, while occupying the position of Manager in Mayor Mphehlo’s office, is in contravention of the municipality’s policy on appointments to acting positions.
The fact that the Speaker, Gago Mathe, on several occasions refused to table our motion of no confidence against the MM is a clear indication of the ANC’s lack of political will to address these allegations. It simply proves that the ANC is more interested in protecting cadres than rooting out corruption and maladministration.
It is disappointing, but not surprising that the MM refuses to step aside until the investigation is concluded. If the Mayor had any integrity, he would have suspended Mahole when the allegations arose. There was also no internal investigation into the appointment of BLTnP security or any attempt to terminate their contract.
These are all symptoms of the poor leadership within the municipality that refuses to hold anyone accountable. The complete absence of consequence management measures ultimately culminates into the substandard service delivery that we currently experience.
The ANC has a proven track record of no services, no mitigation strategies, and no intention of striving towards good governance. The DA remains committed to challenging this culture of non-performance.