Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has disclosed that at least 32 investigations have been reported across seven provinces in South Africa. The investigations were initiated by MECs for Local Government after instances of maladministration, fraud, corruption, or other serious malpractice occurred in various municipalities. This information was provided in response to parliamentary questions from DA MP Cathy Labuschagne.
The Municipal Systems Act empowers the MEC responsible for local government to investigate when a municipality cannot fulfil a statutory obligation or when maladministration, fraud, corruption, or other serious malpractice has occurred. Hlabisa's department received responses from eight of the nine provinces, with Mpumalanga's response outstanding. The minister stated that the information received does not constitute a complete national list of all investigations conducted.
According to Hlabisa, the provinces that reported investigations include the Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Gauteng, Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Limpopo. The Eastern Cape had the highest number of investigations, with seven municipalities involved. These include Inxuba Yethemba, Matatiele, Dr AB Xuma, Alfred Nzo District, Enoch Mgijima, Mhlontlo, and Sakhisizwe.
The investigations resulted in various consequences, including dismissals, contract terminations, suspensions, warnings, and recovery of municipal funds. Some cases were referred to the SAPS, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, and the Special Investigating Unit for further processing. Hlabisa noted that some reported matters remain under investigation, subject to disciplinary proceedings, pending before courts, or under consideration by the relevant MEC or Municipal Council.
In the Western Cape, four municipalities were investigated: Kannaland, Beaufort West, Matzikama, and Central Karoo District. The investigation in Kannaland identified possible contravention of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. The findings were referred to the SAPS to investigate possible financial misconduct, fraud, or corruption involving implicated current and former officials.
In other provinces, KwaZulu-Natal had four municipalities investigated, including uMngeni, Endumeni, uThukela District, and KwaDukuza. Gauteng had the City of Johannesburg, Sedibeng, Rand West, and Merafong under investigation. The Free State recorded five investigations, while North West reported five investigations, and Limpopo had three municipalities investigated.
The investigations into some municipalities were referred to the Special Investigating Unit for further processing. In Rand West Municipality, the former CFO has been suspended. The ministry also reported that no criminal action was reported in some municipalities, while a criminal case was opened in Endumeni following the investigations. The investigation into Central Karoo District is ongoing due to pending litigation.
Key points
- 32 municipal investigations reported across seven provinces in South Africa.
- Investigations resulted in various consequences, including dismissals and referrals to SAPS.
- Some investigations are ongoing, pending litigation, or under consideration by relevant authorities.
