Please find attached soundbite in English by Kagiso Mangwejane.
- The DA has formally recommended the suspension of Acting Municipal Manager Advocate Cyril Lesang Lobakeng pending the outcome of investigations.
- Serious allegations involving a senior municipal official cannot be allowed to undermine public confidence and institutional integrity.
- The DA’s Working for All Manifesto commits to professional, accountable municipalities where competent people are held responsible for their performance and conduct.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tswaing has formally recommended to the Speaker of Council that Advocate Cyril Lesang Lobakeng, Acting Municipal Manager and Accounting Officer, be suspended pending the outcome of investigations relating to corruption allegations under CAS 78/8/2022.
The recommendation is based on the need to protect the integrity of the municipality and ensure that serious allegations involving a senior official are properly investigated without compromising evidence or municipal operations.
Allowing an official facing serious allegations to remain in a position of authority while investigations are ongoing raises serious concerns about accountability, institutional integrity and the credibility of the municipality’s administration.
Suspension is necessary to:
- Protect the integrity of the investigation and prevent any potential interference with evidence;
- Protect the municipality and its residents from further governance risks; and
- Ensure that service delivery priorities, including water, sanitation and roads, remain the focus of the administration.
The DA believes that public office is a position of responsibility, not privilege. Allegations of serious misconduct involving senior municipal officials must be dealt with through due process, without fear or favour.
This is consistent with the DA’s Working for All Manifesto 2026, which commits to professionalising local government, strengthening accountability and consequence management, and ensuring that municipalities are led by competent people who put residents first.
Tswaing cannot afford further instability, weak accountability or leadership distracted by unresolved allegations. The municipality needs an administration focused on restoring financial stability, implementing its Financial Recovery Plan and delivering basic services to residents.
The DA will continue to champion clean governance, ethical leadership and consequence management. We will not accept a system where political or administrative interests are placed ahead of the people of Tswaing.
Tswaing residents deserve a municipality that works and led by people who are accountable, competent and committed to serving the community.