The mayor of the cash-strapped Nketoane Municipality in the Free State has come under fire for spending more than R100 000 of taxpayers’ money on renting a vehicle.

DA Councillor Thinus Blignaut brought the issue to light, revealing a series of troubling expenditures and questionable practices in the local authority including Reitz, Lindley, and Petrus Steyn.

The controversy began when the municipality purchased a BMW 4 Series for the mayor of the ailing municipality, Mamiki Mokwena, which was subsequently damaged in an accident in 2021.

‘The vehicle was also involved in an accident and written off’

Allegations have surfaced that no logbooks were kept for the vehicle, raising concerns about its usage for municipal business. Despite the DA’s repeated requests for a report detailing the accident and the logbook’s whereabouts, no such report has been presented before the council.

It’s understood that between August 2021 and August 2023, Mokwena rented a vehicle, costing the municipality no less than R850 000. In March 2023, the municipality purchased another car for the Mokwena, but the vehicle was also involved in an accident and written off in November 2023.

Car currently rented by Nketoana’s mayor, parked outside municipal offices. Photo supplied

Since February, the mayor has been renting a car from AVIS on a month-to-month basis. Records obtained by OFM News show the municipality paid R50 447,79 in May and R64 893,31 in June for the rented vehicle.

Blignaut expressed his frustration. “The car was approved, she bought a car, the car was in an accident. They’re waiting for the money to be paid out from the insurance.

“I think she’s paid about R800 000 on that new car. Now she’s renting a vehicle. A year from now, she would’ve cost the municipality another R700 000. It’s totally out of the budget!”

He also questioned why the mayor is not using a cheaper vehicle, especially given the municipality’s financial constraints. Despite raising these concerns in council meetings, Blignaut said he is yet to receive a satisfactory response and plans to bring up the issue again in Wednesday’s (31/7) council meeting.

Nketoana is one of the Free State municipalities that struggle to pay workers’ salaries and still relies on water tankers to deliver water to communities. Blignaut criticised the municipality for prioritising nonessential services, such as renting a luxurious vehicle for the mayor, while neglecting crucial services and overspending on fuel costs.

In 2022, residents had called for Mokwena’s removal, accusing her of involvement in corrupt activities within the municipality. OFM News attempted to contact Nketoana’s municipal manager for comment, without success.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi cg/mvh