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The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Mohokare Local Municipality today laid criminal charges against top municipal officers of the Mohokare Municipality for unauthorised, irregular and wasteful expenditure of millions.

The case was opened at the Zastron Police Station by Karabo Khakhau, MPL, Cllr Pheliswa Mpongoshe and Cllr Ian Riddle. The DA believes that Mohokare Municipality Mayor, Irene Mehlomakhulu, Municipal Manager Selby Selepe and former MEC for Cogta, Themebeni Ngxangisa, must be investigated.

The alleged unauthorised, irregular and wasteful expenditure amounts to R282,1 million incurred by the municipality in the 2020/21 financial year. The breakdown is as follows:

• Unauthorised expenditure: R80,4 million
• Irregular expenditure: R182,7 million
• Fruitless and wasteful expenditure: R19 million

To this point, no disciplinary action has been taken against those implicated. The total liabilities (debts) of the municipality exceeds the value of the current assets by over 250%. The municipality currently owes the 3rd parties over R86 million and fails to fulfil simple arrangements. Some projects are incomplete but contractors keep on getting paid for work not done. 

Some of the goods and services of a transaction value above R200 000 were procured without inviting competitive bids as required by Supply Chain Management regulation 19(a). Some of the contracts and quotations were awarded to bidders based on preference points that were not allocated and calculated in accordance with the requirements of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and its regulations.

The total waste of R282, 1 million could have given 564 residents a home and developed more businesses.

The co-applicants of the case are 487 residents from the municipality who signed a petition. The matter has been referred to the Commercial Crimes Unit and the case number is 65/10/2021.

The DA will continue to fight for accountability and bring better services to our communities. On the 1st of November, residents are urged to vote for an administration that has proven to be a clean and capable government.

Issued by DA Mohokare Councillor Ian Riddle