A forensic investigation must determine if Free State EFF municipal councillor could be suspended over allegations of unlawful business ties with the Metsimaholo Municipality.

DA Cllr Thulani Mbana said the DA demands the suspension of EFF Cllr Selloane Motjeane after an ad hoc committee found her guilty of not declaring her business ties with the Sasolburg-based municipality. A one-month salary deduction was recommended as a sanction.

The DA councillor in Metsimaholo municipality, Thulani Mbana. Photo: Facebook

“While the DA welcomes the verdict, we reject the leniency of the sanction. Instead, we call for a forensic investigation to fully uncover the extent of Motjeane’s financial gains from her undeclared business interests.

“We also urge the council to recommend to the Free State MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs that Motjeane be suspended, pending the investigation.”

But EFF Free State Chairperson Mapheule Liphoko dismissed the DA’s concerns, accusing it of exaggerating. They were aware of Motjeane’s non-declaration but argued the situation had been misrepresented. The business in question was registered when Motjeane was still a member of the ANC Youth League, alongside businessperson Bafana Thwala, Liphoko said.

EFF Free State chairperson, Mapheule Liphoko. Photo: X

“Motjeane has informed us that the company never conducted any business with the municipality. She left the ANC, joined the EFF … deregistered her name from the company, and stepped down as a director in 2022.”

He said that members of the ad hoc committee’s findings were limited as they had no access to financial statements.

“Despite this, (members) concluded she failed to declare her business interests. But they did not conduct any investigation other than asking Motjeane, who explained she no longer has any business interests to declare.”

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebetsi mvh