President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the unit to investigate allegations of corruption, maladministration, and the awarding of tenders when he published a proclamation in the Government Gazette.

The municipality, whose property was recently seized by Eskom and its bank accounts frozen due to non-payment, has for years been accused of maladministration.

Whilst Free State municipalities' Eskom debt now amounts to R12 billion, the municipality alone accounts for the bulk of that debt.

During Free State budget votes, Finance MEC Gadija Brown confirmed the escalating Eskom debt by this municipality is a huge cause of concern - as over 50% of it is owed by Maluti-A-Phofung together with the Matjhabeng Municipality.

Coupled with this, the municipality has over the last months drawn much controversy over its lack of water supply to residents.

It made national headlines when Qwaqwa came to a complete standstill with schools and businesses shut down at the beginning of the year following the tragic death of an eight-year-old girl, Mosa Mbele, who drowned while fetching water at a river.

This led Water and Sanitation Minister Lindiwe Sisulu to pledge over R200 million to address the water crisis experienced in the municipality.

Although Cooperative Governance MEC Thembeni Nxangisa has reported that they are still working on the water crisis and other challenges faced by the municipality, the report recently released by the Auditor-General (AG) paints a bleak picture.

AG Kimi Makwetu, indicated that this municipality is among the Free State municipalities under administration yet continuously failing to yield positive results.

The investigation by the SIU is meanwhile expected to uncover alleged corruption, maladministration, and unlawful conduct by municipal officials.

OFM News