By Lebone Rodah Mosima
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has lodged a complaint with the Public Protector over allegations that City of Ekurhuleni officials influenced council votes by directing public funds to political parties linked to certain councillors.
Speaking on Thursday, the DA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, said the party had asked Public Protector Kholeka Gcaleka to urgently investigate what it described as possible corruption within the municipality.
“The DA believes there are clear grounds for an investigation within the Public Protector’s jurisdiction, including possible contraventions of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act and the Political Party Funding Act,” Rasilingwane said.
She accused City Manager Kagiso Lerutla of allegedly abusing his former role as Group Chief Financial Officer to channel millions of rand in public funds to ANC-aligned proxy parties in exchange for political support.
“If proven true, this would represent a deliberate and coordinated looting of public resources at the highest levels of the municipality,” she said.
Rasilingwane said the complaint seeks answers to questions central to governance and accountability in Ekurhuleni, including whether public funds were diverted for political or personal gain.
She also questioned whether Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza had facilitated or ignored the alleged scheme, and whether other political parties, including ActionSA and some of its councillors, may have benefited.
“These are questions that demand urgent and transparent investigation,” she said.
“This is a direct betrayal of the residents of Ekurhuleni. Funds that should have been used to fix potholes, maintain infrastructure, keep the lights on and deliver basic services have allegedly been diverted to fund backroom political deals.”
Rasilingwane said the alleged misuse of public money was indefensible at a time when communities faced deteriorating service delivery and infrastructure failures.
“Every rand of public money should be spent in residents’ best interests, not to sustain corrupt political networks,” she said.
“Ekurhuleni is not for sale — not to corrupt officials, not to the ANC and its proxies, and not to any party willing to trade governance for patronage.”
She said the DA would continue pushing for accountability and ensure that anyone implicated in wrongdoing was held responsible.
INSIDE EDUCATION
