Note to Broadcasters: Please find attached soundbites in English and Afrikaans by Johannes le Grange
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the City of Matlosana is deeply concerned about the ongoing instability within the municipality’s administration, driven by persistent power struggles between the Municipal Manager (MM), Ms Lesego Seametso, and the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Ms Mercy Mpetla.
These internal battles have severely affected the functioning of the municipality and service delivery to residents. The Executive Mayor, Cllr Fekile Mahlope, must now show decisive leadership to resolve these divisions and restore stability within the administration.
The DA has noted with grave concern several recent press releases issued by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) and the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Asset Forfeiture Unit regarding investigations into the CFO and five others. These developments confirm long-standing suspicions that certain service providers have been receiving preferential treatment under the CFO’s watch.
Key concerns raised include:
- Multiple charges laid against the CFO and service provider Variegated, amounting to more than R4.7 million in total.
- The CFO’s alleged refusal to cooperate with the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC) in its investigation into irregular expenditure related to Variegated.
- Continued payments made to service providers implicated in the Maine Report for duplicate and triplicate invoices.
- Allegations that the CFO has attempted to intimidate other officials, including the Speaker, to prevent matters concerning her conduct from being brought before Council.
- Reports that the Speaker misled the COGTA delegation about whether these charges had been tabled in Council.
This situation represents a complete breakdown of accountability and governance within the municipality.
The DA recommends the following urgent actions to restore stability and transparency:
- The Municipal Manager must immediately restrict the CFO’s access to municipal banking and payment systems pending the outcome of investigations.
- The Executive Mayor must table an item before Council to consider the possible suspension of the CFO to allow for an independent investigation.
The DA assures the residents and taxpayers of Matlosana that we will continue to act in their best interests by holding officials accountable and demanding clean, transparent, and responsible governance. The time for excuses is over. Residents deserve a municipality that serves them, not one paralysed by internal power struggles and corruption.