Central SA
Matjhabeng municipality welcomes report on EPWP funds─── ZENANDE MPAME 06:30 Thu, 21 Aug 2025
Matjhabeng Municipality on the Free State Goldfields welcomes the findings of the investigation confirming all EPWP funds in the municipality are fully accounted for and used on approved projects.
The minister of public works and infrastructure directed that funds for EPWP transfers to the municipality be released after the conclusion of the investigation into abuse of funds. The findings of the investigation were released by Minister Dean Macpherson on Sunday (17/8), confirming all EPWP Integrated Grant funds for 2023/24 and 2024/25 were accounted for.
“The confirmation that EPWP funds were used correctly, along with the release of withheld allocations, will enable us to continue on this path of renewal and progress,” said Matjhabeng municipality spokesperson Tshediso Tlali.
“The municipality reaffirms its commitment to reducing unemployment through effective use of programmes such as EPWP, which already created 373 work opportunities in 2023/24 and 751 in 2024/25.”
The municipality also reaffirmed its commitment to proper governance and accountability in the management of all public funds, and collaboration with the department of public works to expand opportunities for our residents, he said.
Funding was suspended by the minister on Sunday, 27 July, due to allegations that three former ward councillors earn R31,691 per month from the programme, and one current ward secretary also earns the same amount.
When the Portfolio Committee on Cogta visited the province to investigate ongoing governance and financial underperformance in the province's municipalities, they questioned allegations of abuse of the EPWP monies.
“The individuals referenced in media reports are not EPWP participants and are not paid from the EPWP integrated grant,” said the minister’s spokesperson, James de Villiers.
They are instead part of an EPWP support unit created by the municipality in February 2024, housed in the Mayor’s office and funded entirely through the municipal budget.
Under administration
Matjhabeng was officially placed under administration in May, following a mandatory intervention order delivered by the Free State Division of the High Court.
OFM News previously reported that the decision came after a court judgement in October last year, which found Matjhabeng in serious and persistent breach of its constitutional obligations.
The court cited the municipality’s failure to deliver basic services, promote sustainable development, and properly manage its administration and finances as justification for invoking Section 139(5) of the Constitution.
