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Six Free State municipalities have invoked Municipal Systems Act

───   TSHEHLA KOTELI 07:42 Fri, 20 May 2022

Six Free State municipalities have invoked Municipal Systems Act | News Article

Six out of 23 municipalities in the Free State have invoked section 106 of the Municipal Systems Act.

The progress report by the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) revealed that Mohokare local municipality and Nketoana municipality are still to commence with their investigations.

Mohokare municipality's investigation is stalling due to instability in the municipality, while Nketoana’s municipal’s management and council did not show up for the introductory meeting with the investigation team.

Mohokare Municipality is accused of using fraudulent invoices for catering: procurement of properties and also paying ghost employees. The case was partly heard in court on 03 May 2022. 

Nketoana municipality’s investigations into theft and fraud has been partly completed and the accused has been sent to prison. Nketoana municipality has another case being heard in court and two cases being investigated by the Hawks. Nketoana’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) has also been dismissed.

Also Read: Eyebrows raised over Free State backlog of cases

The Select Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Water and Sanitation has previously raised concerns over the backlog of cases of alleged impropriety within the municipalities. This includes the case of the Municipal Manager of Ngwathe Local Municipality who is accused of increasing his salary and approving a once-off payment for himself.

Two cases are still under investigation at the Matjhabeng Municipality in Welkom. The report revealed that R3 508 268 worth of salaries were paid into incorrect accounts. The municipality also lost more than R15 000 000 in a storm water system project at Nyakallong, Allanridge that never got off the ground.

As a result of these investigations, a number of officials have been suspended already. These include the two municipal managers from Dihlabeng and Masilonyana municipalities, and the CFO from Maluti-A-Phofung Municipality.  A municipal manager from Kopanong Municipality and CEO from Lejweleputswa Development Agency are also serving suspensions. Nketoana Municipality’s CFO was suspended, then later dismissed.

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