By Akani Nkuna
Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) Minister Dean Macpherson has cleared the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State of allegations of abusing public funds, following a three-week investigation into claims of embezzlement.
Releasing the findings on Sunday, Macpherson said the probe confirmed that grant allocations for both the 2023/24 and 2024/25 financial years were spent on approved projects, creating thousands of work opportunities for local residents.
As a result, he has directed that withheld Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) funds be released so that projects can continue.
He stressed, however, that the municipality must account for its decision to establish an EPWP Support Unit.
The investigation followed a City Press report in July which alleged that EPWP funds were being used to pay inflated salaries—exceeding R31,000 a month—to former councillors and current political office bearers, more than ten times the average EPWP stipend.
Macpherson subsequently suspended EPWP
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