ActionSA on Thursday laid criminal charges against eThekwini municipal manager Musa Mbhele for allegedly misleading Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa).

The charges, filed under Section 17(2)(e) of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act, stem from statements Mbhele made during a Scopa meeting last week.

The Act criminalises providing false information to Parliament, carrying a penalty of up to three years' imprisonment.

During the parliamentary proceedings, Mbhele addressed Special Investigating Unit (SIU) Proclamation No. R. 9 of 2021, which targeted corruption, fraud, and maladministration within the eThekwini municipality.

ActionSA MP Alan Beesley alleged that Mbhele made several false claims to evade accountability, including stating he had not seen or received the final SIU report and claimed that the SIU investigation was not yet finalised.

Mbhele asserted that no blacklisting or administrative actions were recommended, and also stated that an earlier version of the report contained only two disciplinary referrals.

ActionSA contended that the final SIU report has long been in the public domain and provided clear evidence refuting Mbhele's testimony.

Beesley noted that The Presidency confirmed in writing that the report and its recommendations were sent to the municipal manager in August 2023 and that municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana previously acknowledged public engagement with the report.

He highlighted that the actual SIU report confirmed that the investigation was complete, detailed four disciplinary referrals to the municipality, and outlined 11 matters referred for administrative action, including blacklisting.

ActionSA attributed the fraud and corruption identified in the SIU investigation to the municipality failing to implement the recommended corrective actions.