Note to editors: Please find attached the English soundbite by Cllr Alison Oates, Afrikaans by Cllr Eleanor Quinta and Sesotho by Cllr Moshe Lefuma.
At the Maluti-a-Phofung Local Municipality Council meeting on 29 August, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) gave a brief presentation on their investigation into just two MaP service providers.
The report revealed 17 cases of possible serious misconduct by municipal staff, which the municipality was required to refer for disciplinary hearings. However, it has now come to light that the former MaP-16 Mayor, Gilbert Mokotso, chose not to advance the report, despite its availability since 2022.
The Council was obligated to consider the charges against senior managers, but these were never brought forward, likely to protect the wrongdoers. The SIU stands firmly behind its findings, having referred them to a third party for further review.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) was the first to note that the SIU had completed their report, given that the municipality had made payments totalling R6 million for the study.
The DA will ensure that all levels of government maintain focus on this report until those implicated face justice. The community deserves transparency and accountability, as unchecked misconduct directly undermines service delivery and erodes public trust in local governance.