An independent forensic report has painted a picture of blatant corruption against the officials of the Sasolburg-based Metsimaholo Local Municipality in the Free State and has also described the DA mayor as conflicted.

The Molefi Ntleru report, which looked into the alleged controversial security tender, has found the municipal manager and chief financial officer blatantly engaged themselves in acts of corruption and therefore contravened the municipal tender system which cost the municipality millions of rands. The report was compiled by the Internal Audit division at the municipality.

In this leaked report it’s alleged a certain service provider inflated prices immediately after being illegally appointed to render services to the municipality. It has since recommended that disciplinary action be taken against them and they be reported to the police for their alleged involvement in this irregular security tender. 

The report has also dealt a blow to the credibility of DA Mayor Jeff Zwane and described him as conflicted. 

?? We welcome the Free State High Court's vindication that the Motion of No Confidence in Metsimaholo Mayor Jeff Zwane was unlawful. The ANC/EFF tabled an illegal MONC against Zwane after the DA blocked the attempted looting of tens of millions of Rands.https://t.co/NIs5Eu3ENc

— Democratic Alliance (@Our_DA) August 23, 2023

According to the report, the mayor is conflicted about the security services tender. There is also an alleged perception that he is interfering in the administration of the municipality. The troubled municipality has since been urged to approach the High Court to review and set aside the tender with Isidingo, as it was awarded irregularly and unlawfully. 

The municipality is yet to comment on OFM News’ inquiry. 

“The report, compiled by the Internal Audit division at the municipality and dated 25 July 2023, found the municipality overpaid Isidingo an amount of R2.3 million. The Internal Audit highlights the fact that Isidingo increased its pricing structure immediately or a short while after being appointed, contrary to the firm prices they had offered in their bid document. The Municipal Manager has failed to address this.” 

In August 2023, the DA national Federal Council chairperson Hellen Zille told OFM News the party had obtained a High Court interdict against the municipality that had the intention to pay services millions of rands.  

Zille said: “The DA has exposed the unlawful and unethical process by which the ANC/EFF removed an honest official, the Municipal Manager, after he sought to prevent this looting scheme. The ANC/EFF suspended Leaoa Mofokeng when he refused to authorise payments after the ANC/EFF started pushing through initial payments, towards an amount of R35 million, to a trust fund to which the municipality does not owe the money.”

 OFM News