The new leadership ordered a formal probe after the matter had remained unprocessed for several months. The Koffiefontein-based municipality told members of the Free State legislature last week that council adopted a resolution in June to investigate the crash. 

Acting municipal manager Mbulelo Jafta said the matter had been left unattended when the municipality’s new leadership took office.

“Upon our arrival with the mayor, the matter was a thorny issue sitting there without being processed. We then took the matter to council, and council approved that we investigate,” said Jafta.

OFM News previously reported the crash involved a silver Toyota Fortuner that was reportedly written off after rolling several times. 

An eyewitness said the former speaker’s personal assistant was allegedly driving the vehicle and was accompanied by an unidentified female civilian passenger. Both occupants were injured.

Jafta said he received a preliminary report from investigators only a day before appearing before the legislature. Following the crash, the municipality rented a Volkswagen T-Cross from the government garage as a replacement vehicle, but the arrangement was proving expensive. 

The municipality therefore decided to return the rented vehicle. The mayor opted to use his own car without claiming reimbursement, while a vehicle previously allocated to the former mayor was reassigned to the current speaker. 

“We took a deliberate decision to return the vehicle. Upon arrival, the mayor said he would not use a rented municipal vehicle and would use his own car. He said he would not need to be reimbursed.” 

Despite the preliminary report, several issues still require clarification. Information received by the municipality indicates the damaged Fortuner may already have been auctioned by an insurer, raising further questions about the handling of the vehicle after the crash.

“One of the reports I received is one of the insurers auctioned the vehicle and took the proceeds of the auction.” The investigation remains under way.

The latest developments come as Letsemeng continues to battle financial and governance challenges. The municipality has for years faced criticism over poor service delivery and allegations involving the misuse of public funds.

In 2023, councillors were accused of spending almost R200,000 on a three-day trip. Documents seen by OFM News showed R194,580 was spent on accommodation, flights, and car rentals for the chief whip, speaker, and an executive committee councillor.

The three councillors travelled from Bloemfontein to Johannesburg, and each reportedly rented a vehicle to travel to Boksburg. Municipal workers expressed frustration at the time and questioned how the expenditure was possible while Letsemeng was struggling financially.

Political tensions within the municipality also entered the public domain in 2024 when the then speaker and mayor became involved in a legal dispute after an argument allegedly escalated into a physical confrontation. 

Former speaker Xolani Mthukwane confirmed he laid an assault charge against mayor Bonolo Mocwaledi, who also opened a case against him.

 OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg

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