Note to editors: Please find attached an English soundbite by Cllr Thabo Nthapo and Sesotho by Jafta Mokoena MPL.
On Friday, 12 July, the long-overdue task of conducting a head count on all units in the municipality was brought to the Executive Committee for deliberation.
With Letsemeng’s salary bill at a staggering R3.6 million for 216 employees, it has become evident that a proper audit of the total number of employees is necessary to validate the actual number of workers. This financial strain on the municipality highlights the urgent need to address inefficiencies and eliminate corruption.
We welcome the report, as it was clear over the years that the municipality has been paying ghost workers who are not performing their duties but still appear on the payroll. This fraudulent activity has drained municipal resources and deprived the community of essential services and development opportunities.
We call on the Mayor to act firmly and ensure that all officials found guilty are held criminally liable. Additionally, we urge the recovery of the funds that belong to the community of Letsemeng. This decisive action will serve as a deterrent to any future malfeasance and restore public trust in the municipality.
The DA will closely monitor the entire process to ensure that justice prevails. We will not stand by and watch public funds being misused for political gain. Instead, we will advocate for transparency and accountability at every level of government. The community of Letsemeng deserves honest leadership that prioritises their needs and invests in their future. We remain committed to fighting corruption and ensuring that every rand spent benefits the people of Letsemeng.