Criminally Accused Makana Municipal Employee Must Be Suspended

Dear Editor

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is taking action to have an employee of the Makana Local Municipality’s Budget and Treasury department placed on precautionary suspension after she was arrested on charges of alleged fraud and money laundering while previously employed at the Umzimvubu Local Municipality.

Ms Sibabalwe Mgangatho, currently out on bail, faces allegations of defrauding the Umzimvubu Local Municipality of R2 million between 2013 and 2017, during her tenure as Account Expenditure Officer. Alarmingly, she now occupies the same position at the Makana Local Municipality.

I have formally written to the Municipal Manager, requesting that disciplinary action be taken against Ms Mgangatho, in accordance with the Labour Relations Act and the municipality’s Disciplinary Procedures Framework.

To safeguard the finances and the integrity of the municipality she must be placed under precautionary suspension while the municipality conducts a thorough investigation.

If the Municipal Manager does not act, the DA will request the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to launch a formal investigation into this matter.

This arrest underscores a disturbing and ever-growing trend: Makana Municipality has become a haven for corrupt officials from the former Transkei region, many of whom have faced investigations or been dismissed from their previous roles. It is clear that a lack of proper vetting, coupled with rampant nepotism, has allowed these individuals to infiltrate key positions, compromising the integrity of our local government.

With officials like this, the question looms: is the Makana Municipality’s purse safe?

Ratepayers are rapidly losing confidence in the municipality’s ability to manage their rates and services. The revelation that an alleged fraudster holds a key position in the Budget and Treasury department will only exacerbate this erosion of trust.

The DA will continue to fight for transparency, accountability, and consequence management – because our community deserves nothing less.

Regards

Cllr Luvuyo Sizani
DA Makana Caucus Leader