The Democratic Alliance (DA) is pushing for the precautionary suspension of an employee in the Budget and Treasury department of the Makana Local Municipality.
This follows her arrest on charges of alleged fraud and money laundering during her previous employment at the Umzimvubu Local Municipality.
Sibabalwe Mgangatho, currently out on bail, is accused of defrauding Umzimvubu of R2 million between 2013 and 2017 while serving as Account Expenditure Officer.
Alarmingly, she now holds the same position at Makana Local Municipality, according to the DA.
“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,” said Luvuyo Sizani, DA Makana caucus leader, on Monday.
Sizani said to safeguard the finances and the integrity of the municipality, Mngagatho must be placed under precautionary suspension while the municipality conducts a thorough investigation.
He said 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,” said Sizani.
“With officials like this, the question looms: is the Makana Municipality’s purse safe?”
Sizani said ratepayers are rapidly losing confidence in the municipality’s ability to manage their rates and services.
He added that 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,” said Sizani.
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