SASOLBURG. – The Metsimaholo Local Municipality (MLM) is embroiled in a hot scandal as an Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) councillor finds herself in boiling water over dodgy grass-cutting tenders.
For a jaw-dropping three years, the councillor has been cashing in on lucrative municipal contracts.
This shocking revelation, unveiled in the Auditor General’s report for the 2021/22 financial year, has left MLM councillors stunned.
The bombshell report reveals that the councillor has been profiting from municipal business, a clear conflict of interest that reeks of corruption.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is up in arms, denouncing the scandal as a blatant case of corruption.
Speaking to Ster South, DA Council Whip Thulani Mbana didn’t mince words, saying “Upon discovering this, the former DA Executive Mayor wasted no time and reported the issue to the council. The Speaker was instructed to launch an investigation as per Schedule 7 of the Municipal Structures Act. Additionally, a corruption case was filed with the Hawks.”
Despite the damning evidence, the council backed by the EFF and other political parties, chose to sweep the scandal under the carpet.
To everyone’s disbelief, the Executive Mayor Jack Malindi appointed the implicated councillor as an MMC, giving him a powerful position in his Mayoral Committee.
Fuming with rage, Mbana revealed that the DA bombarded the Speaker with questions about the investigation’s progress.
“Under DA pressure, the Speaker finally set up a sub-committee to probe the issue, with a deadline to report back in 30 days. But, nearly a year has passed, and nothing has been done.”
On July 24, the DA once again demanded answers from the Speaker, vowing to pursue justice relentlessly. Mbana declared: “We won’t rest until law enforcement takes action. We’ll escalate this to the MEC for CoGTA in the Free State Provincial Legislature. Corruption must be eradicated, and those responsible must pay the price.”
Free State Hawks spokesperson Captain Christopher Singo said: “Hawks are investigating a case of alleged corruption at Metsimaholo Local Municipality.
The matter is currently with the Director of Public Prosecution for a decision. We may, however, neither confirm nor deny who the suspects are.”
EFF Free State chairman said Coach Liphoko rubbished the claims.
“We have made serious enquiries on the allegations and we are satisfied that our councillor is not involved,” he said.
Despite reaching out to the Metsimaholo communications department, at the time of publishing the story the institution had not responded to media inquiries.
