The Theunissen-based Masilonyana Municipality in the Free State is once again embroiled in controversy, as the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has initiated an investigation into alleged maladministration and misconduct.

Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa requested a probe into serious allegations of improper conduct by municipal officials, unlawful expenditure, and negligence leading to financial losses.

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago confirmed Proclamation 182 of 2024 directs the investigation into two specific tenders in the municipality, which serves t Brandfort, Winburg, Theunissen, and Verkeerdevlei. These include the refurbishment of the Brandfort Water Treatment Works and Raw Water Pump Stations, as well as the second phase of upgrading the Brandfort Sports Centre.

“The SIU will investigate whether municipal officials, service providers, or other involved parties unduly benefited themselves or others, leading to financial losses for the municipality,” Kganyago said.

The investigation will cover activities that took place between 1 May 2020 and 13 September this year, as well as any related actions before or after this period that involve the same individuals or entities.

The cash-strapped Masilonyana has come under fire for mismanagement of public funds. Its former legal manager, Tumeleng Mogaecho, filed a lawsuit in the High Court in Bloemfontein against Mayor Dimakatso Modise and both the former and current municipal managers.

Mogaecho sought to compel the mayor and municipal leadership to take disciplinary action against former acting Municipal Manager Michelle Sello over allegations of financial misconduct. He claimed the leadership had failed to act on his reports, which should have been brought before the council for deliberation.

Mogaecho also filed a separate lawsuit against the municipality, demanding the payment of his pension and vacation days, which he alleges have been wrongfully withheld. According to a source within the municipality, Modise refused to present Mogaecho’s reports to the council and instead responded with personal attacks on him in emails, further deepening the internal conflict.

The municipality has recently been criticised for its failure to submit financial statements to Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke. Nevertheless, Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Saki Mokwena has continued to defend the municipalities that have consistently failed to meet basic governance and service delivery standards in the province, blaming a lack of capacity for their failures.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi dg