This, as the Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) is expected to discuss the sustainability of amalgamated municipalities in North West, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape. 

The discussions, set to kick off later this week, will include officials from the provincial and national Cogta department, Treasury, and the South African Local Government Association (Salga), as well as the Demarcation Board (MDB). 

The discussions over the Tlokwe and Ventersdorp Municipalities - now amalgamated into JB Marks Municipality - come as the municipality is still reeling from the arrest of its executive mayor, Kgotso Khumalo and his accounting officer, Cyril Henry.

The two were arrested last month by the Hawks in connection with charges relating to theft, corruption and fraud.

After a third suspect was arrested and a total of three municipal senior officials have been released on a warning in the Potchefstroom Magistrate's Court, the municipality is still a subject of study by the Hawks and other law enforcement agencies.

The municipality, which has for years been in the news over a lack of service delivery, is now marred by corruption allegations, including Covid-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) tender irregularities.

Its viability amidst these allegations will come under scrutiny when government officials account before the Committee.

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