Tshwane Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya has raised alarm over the city’s annual expenditure of R30 million on salaries for suspended officials, most of whom are senior managers.

“One of the concerns that we have was the amount of money that we pay for people who are sitting at home,” Moya said.

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“We gave an instruction to look at those cases that can realistically be brought back to the city so that managers don’t just send people on suspension because they don’t want that colleague at work.”

Moya explained how disciplinary processes have dragged on, with some officials finding ways to delay proceedings.

“Either they will change lawyers. When they change lawyers, they ask for an extension. They find a way to play with the system, and they are within their rights,” she said.

According to Moya, about 80% of the R30 million is tied to the Rooiwal Wastewater Treatment Works tender scandal and other 2023 cases involving senior officials.

“Their disciplinary process is not concluded because now you’re spending 30 million rand on people that are supposed to be at work that aren’t at work,” she said.

The Rooiwal matter, linked to irregular contracts worth nearly R295 million, has already been the subject of Bargaining Council rulings, Labour Court appeals, and ongoing Special Investigating Unit probes. These legal complexities have kept the officials on suspension while the city continues to foot the bill.

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Moya acknowledged that in some cases, such as Rooiwal, the city’s hands are tied due to pending court processes.

“As I’m saying, the Rooiwal, what can you do realistically when there’s a court case?” she asked.

While stressing that suspended officials are entitled to due process, Moya said the city must find ways to conclude disciplinary matters more efficiently.

“You’re spending millions on people who are supposed to be at work. That’s money that could be used for service delivery,” she said.

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Newly announced Inkhatha Freedom Party (IFP) mayoral candidate for Johannesburg, Human Settlements MMC Mlungisi Mabaso has vowed ahead of the upcoming local government elections to restore jobs, order and dignity to the country’s economic hubs. He outlined a ten point plan to turn the City around.

Speaking at Jabulani Technical School in Soweto on Saturday, Mabaso outlined an ambitious 10-point rescue plan aimed at tackling Johannesburg’s deteriorating infrastructure, unemployment, crime, corruption and service delivery failures.

“We accept the responsibility with humility and respect to work for the residents of the city of Johannesburg. I am the servant of the people and the proud volunteer of the Inkatha Freedom Party. President together with the leadership you made a commitment to the members of the IFP that as the party we will deploy our capacity and resources to rescue the city of Johannesburg,” Mabaso said.

He said Johannesburg’s strategic importance to both Gauteng and the national economy meant the city could no longer afford continued instability and governance failures.

“The City of Johannesburg contributes between 15-17 % of the national GDP and over 40% contribution to the Provincial GDP which place us in a strategic position of the country. It is against this backdrop that we present a government that will bring: jobs, order and dignity,” he said.

Central to Mabaso’s address was the IFP’s pledge to revive economic growth and employment in a city grappling with high unemployment and urban decay.

“The IFP will place economic growth and employment creation at the centre of governance by rebuilding investor confidence, supporting local enterprise and reviving industrial activity,” he said.

Among the proposals announced were reopening abandoned industrial zones, supporting township businesses and informal traders, fast-tracking investment approvals, and introducing ward-based public works programmes focused on youth employment.

Mabaso intends to intensify policing and law enforcement operations across the city, including increasing the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s numbers.

“A city cannot prosper without safety, discipline and enforcement of the law. The IFP will restore law and order through visible policing, technology-driven crime prevention and uncompromising action against criminal syndicates,” he said.

He announced that the party would recruit 5,000 additional JMPD officers over five years, deploy smart surveillance systems, crack down on cable theft and hijacked buildings, and conduct multi disciplinary operations targeted at “undocumented foreigners nationals both in our CBDs, and communities”.

On basic services, Mabaso said residents deserved reliable access to water, sanitation and electricity.

The IFP’s rescue plan includes replacing ageing water and sewer infrastructure, reducing water losses, investing in alternative energy sources such as solar and microgrids, and expanding electrification to informal settlements.

Mabaso pledged to tackle Johannesburg’s crumbling roads and infrastructure, promising a “city-wide war on potholes” and improved maintenance of traffic lights, stormwater systems and transport interchanges.

Housing also featured prominently in the speech, with Mabaso promising to accelerate title deed delivery, formalise informal settlements and redevelop hostels into family housing.

“Every resident deserves dignified living conditions,” he said.

The mayoral hopeful emphasised clean governance and financial discipline, promising to introduce transparent tender systems and stricter action against corruption.

“The people of Johannesburg deserve a municipality that is honest, competent and accountable. The IFP will restore financial discipline and end corruption,” he said.

He pledged to digitise municipal services, expand public WiFi access, improve communication between communities and government, and invest in youth development, sport, arts and township tourism initiatives.

Mabaso framed the election campaign as a battle to restore Johannesburg’s dignity and functionality.

IFP President Velenkosini Hlabisa formally introduced Mabaso as the party’s choice to lead Johannesburg, describing him as a proven community-focused leader with experience in both government and the private sector.

“Our candidate, he’s a councilor who moved between community services, private sector experience and back into local government to deliver. He has already shown how councilors should work with communities securing title deeds to thousands of communities within the city of Johannesburg,” he said.

“Our candidate is a champion who has demonstrated in delivering community residential units to thousands of people within the city of Johannesburg,” Hlabisa added.

Mabaso joins other candidates ahead of the November 4 elections, with the DA naming Helen Zille and the PA backing Kenny Kunene for Johannesburg’s top post.

The city heads into the polls amid persistent service delivery failures, including water and electricity shortages, potholes and deteriorating infrastructure, while the ANC has yet to confirm whether incumbent mayor Dada Morero will remain its candidate and the uMkhonto weSizwe Party has also not announced its nominee.

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The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) has pounced on the corruption-tainted eThekwini municipality to investigate a range of alleged corruption matters that has been reported about the entity. 

In its first step, the committee chaired by MP Songoze Zibi from Rise Mzansi has directed eThekwini mayor Cyril Xaba to provide its with a range of reports on matters that has been brought to its attention for further probing. 

The move by SCOPA comes as calls are intensifying for the Madlanga Commission to zoom into eThekwini and probe entities like Durban Transport, the Durban Metro Police and the Water department. 

In the letter by Zibi dated 13 May 2026, Xaba has to provide the information by Monday next week.

Among the matters the committee wants its reports on is the Namibia 8 Housing Project in the notorious township of Inanda in the north of Durban. The project has been stalled since 2019 despite that it has been alleged that the contractor was fully paid.

“A detailed update around the Namibia 8 Housing Project on what transpired and the

consequence management, a detailed report on the sanitation project which dates back as far as 2019, focusing on: the bidding process and service providers awarded the contract, the current status of the sanitation project and the anticipated date for its completion; Reasons for the delay in concluding the project.” reads the letter.

“Reasons why certain service providers have not yet been paid despite the Council resolution; Steps being taken by the Municipality to resolve all outstanding disputes and payment-related matters, timelines indicating when all matters relating to the project will be finalised and concluded; and a detailed breakdown of the total cost of the project,” the committee said.

Moreover, the committee wants documents that would shed light on how the wife (name unknown) of Dr Sandile Mnguni, the chief financial officer (CFO) of eThekwini was hired by the municipality and rose through the ranks.

That comes after a whistleblower said that Mnguni allegedly abused his powers to help her wife notch position and meticulously rise through the ranks.  

“A detailed report on the employment of the CFO’s wife, posts she has occupied,

committees she serves in or has served, members of the appointment panel that

approved her appointment at the municipality,” the committee requested. 

The committee also wants to know how the council handled the sexual abuse allegations against the controversial city manager, Musa Mbhele. Mbhele was accused of sexually harassing Kim Makhathini, the executive director (deputy city manager) for human resources and the council which is dominated by the ANC was accused of mishandling the matter.

“A detailed report on the sexual allegations against the City Manager by the Deputy

City Manager, in particular: How were the allegations handled; Which law firm was appointed to investigate the matter, who appointed the law and the cost incurred by the municipality;

“Has the same law firm done any other work for the municipality prior to this appointment; and who authorised the appointment and payment of the law firm.”

Lastly, the committee wants to zoom into the allegations of corruption into the water tankers tender and corruption in the recruitment of officers for the Durban Metro Police. 

In the water tankers matter, the committee directed Xaba to provide it with a detailed report on the top 10 water tank service providers, in particular the ownership, the total amount paid to these service providers over the past 5 years.

“A detailed report on the Metro Police recruitment fraud allegations, in particular: information on any investigations into the matter; checks and balances embedded into the process to ensure transparency after a candidate successfully passed the physical test and progresses to the next step in the recruitment process,” the committee directed Xaba on the police matter. 

Xaba’s spokesperson, Mluleki Mntungwa, said he is not aware what was requested, but confirmed that the committee has summoned the municipality. 

“There is a scheduled meeting with SCOPA next week. I cannot confirm the matters that will be discussed,” he said.

SCOPA did not respond. 

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Only 263 houses out of a planned 1 667 have been fully completed in the troubled R900 million N12 Catalytic Housing Project in Matlosana Extension 10, also known as Jacaranda, in the North West, nearly a decade after the development was launched.

This emerged during an oversight visit by the National Council of Provinces delegation to the project in Matlosana during the week.

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According to the statement, the development was conceptualised during the 2015/16 financial year by the North West Department of Human Settlements and the City of Matlosana Local Municipality.

During the delegation visit, the parliament found out that the project has become mired in delays, infrastructure failures and allegations of poor communication with residents, with many houses still incomplete and some occupied homes lacking basic services such as water and electricity.

“We can properly account for the R900 million, which a bulk of it went to underground infrastructure. There is a misunderstanding. When we talk about internal infrastructure, we refer to engineering services such sewer systems and water connection that we put up before building the top structures,” North West Human Settlements Head of Department Kgomotso Mahlobo said. 

The delegation also questioned why houses were built before bulk infrastructure was fully installed.

NCOP delegation leader Frederick Badenhorst criticised the municipality and provincial department for poor communication with residents and demanded regular public engagement meetings.

“Do not wait for the NCOP to come here before meeting the community. You need to arrange regular meetings with the public; give them information about the development, including expenditure breakdown,” he said.

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Residents further contradicted officials over electricity connections. 

While officials claimed that Eskom would only electrify the area once 80% of the project was completed, community members said they had received written communication from the Integrated National Electrification Programme indicating that electrification would begin in July this year.

The project forms part of the broader Matlosana N12 West Catalytic Development, a flagship human settlements initiative designed to integrate Klerksdorp and surrounding townships through mixed housing developments and bulk infrastructure upgrades.

“We need a full report with specific details about any investigations and implicated individuals involved in the deterioration of this project. There is no law that says that if you resign because you have messed up, you cannot be followed,” said NCOP delegate Makhi Feni.

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Eleven people arrested after police uncovered an alleged R1 billion methamphetamine laboratory on a farm in Swartruggens, North West, were remanded in custody after appearing in the Swartruggens Magistrate’s Court on Friday.

The case was postponed to 22 May for interpreters, verification of immigration status and possible formal bail applications.

The accused face charges related to drug manufacturing, illegal possession of precious metals, illegal possession of hazardous materials and contravention of the Immigration Act.

The arrests followed an intelligence-driven operation on Wednesday, when law enforcement officers discovered the drug manufacturing facility on a farm in Swartruggens.

“The operation led to the discovery of a large-scale illegal drug manufacturing facility believed to be involved in the production of methamphetamine. During the operation, law enforcement officers seized tons of equipment and chemicals used in the manufacturing of illegal drugs, as well as three firearms,” said Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale on Friday.

“The accused include five Mexican nationals, Fabian Astorga, Jesus Alonso, Medina Astorga, Luis Alberto Ramirez Rios, Jose Andres Medina, Jacquelin Lopez Madrid (woman); two Mozambican nationals, Ismael Afiado Massingue, Lourenco Constantino Cumbane; one Zimbabwean national, Tobias Soyani, and three South African citizens, Tyron John Schutte, Kyle Schutte, Vusi Amos Mkambi,” said Mogale.

Mogale said scene processing was continuing, but preliminary investigations had already led to the seizure of about 481 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value running into millions of rand.

“It is anticipated that the quantity may increase once the entire scene has been thoroughly processed. The estimated value of the illicit drug laboratory exceeds R1 billion,” said Mogale.

The Hawks said the property owners had not yet been located and were wanted for questioning. Among those arrested were the owner’s son and other relatives.

Mogale added that preliminary investigations indicated that the Swartruggens drug lab was the fourth drug laboratory uncovered in South Africa with alleged Mexican links.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa says government is determined to overhaul local government systems, improve accountability and strengthen service delivery.

“We must declare the days of patronage and factional politics in local government over,” Ramaphosa said. “The people of South Africa want to see councils fixing potholes and delivering water, not fighting over who gets one or another tender.”

ALSO READ: Taxi fares rise as fuel hikes squeeze commuters

He was addressing the National Council of Provinces’ Taking Parliament to the People programme at the Spirit Word Church in Stilfontein, on Friday.

“Local government is critical in ensuring that people have water and sanitation, electricity, roads, clinics and community services,” Ramaphosa said.

“When local government works, when municipalities are well-managed and deliver on their mandates, cities, towns and villages thrive.”

He said government had prioritised interventions to address the country’s water crisis, including establishing the National Water Crisis Committee and implementing a National Water Action Plan.

He also said the reviewed draft White Paper on Local Government, released for public consultation last week, proposes major reforms aimed at improving governance, municipal finances, accountability and service delivery.

The proposed changes include stricter financial controls, professionalising municipal appointments, digitising systems and enforcing tougher consequence management against corruption and maladministration.

The reforms come less than six months before South Africans are due to vote in the 2026 local government elections on 4 November.

The election will determine the composition of municipal councils and is expected to test public confidence in local government after years of service delivery failures, infrastructure neglect and governance inefficiency.

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Ramaphosa said rebuilding local government was essential to restoring public trust and attracting investment into the country.

“We are determined that local government must rise anew from the ground up,” he said.

During his address, Ramaphosa also paid tribute to victims of recent flooding in several provinces, saying the disaster highlighted the need for stronger emergency preparedness and climate-resilient infrastructure.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families who have lost their loved ones, with those who have lost their homes and with those whose businesses have been damaged,” he said.

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Commuters in several provinces will pay more for minibus taxi trips after taxi associations this week announced fare increases on local and long-distance routes.

In the Western Cape, the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) confirmed during a media briefing in Bellville on Thursday that fares on several routes would increase from Monday.

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Speaking at the briefing, Cape Organisation for the Democratic Taxi Association (CODETA) chairperson Nceba Enge apologised to commuters for the short notice.

“We want to apologise to the commuters for maybe not giving them enough notice. But prior to this increase, we issued a statement where we notified our commuters that prices will increase because operators cannot pay for their vehicles. Their vehicles are being repossessed by financial institutions. So that forced us with no choice but to increase,” he said.

Enge said CODETA and the Cape Amalgamated Taxi Association (CATA) had met in Nyanga to discuss the effect of rising fuel costs before consulting regions across the Western Cape.

Commuters on some local routes can expect increases of between R2 and R3, while long-distance routes will also be affected.

The single-trip fare to the Eastern Cape will increase from R1,000 to R1,150, while the special Thursday trip will rise from R1,250 to R1,400. The special Wednesday trip will increase from R1,200 to R1,350.

Passengers travelling to Saldanha will also pay more, with the single-trip fare increasing from R1,000 to R1,200 and the special trip fare rising from R1,300 to R1,450.

The long-distance fare increases are expected to take effect from Thursday, 21 May.

Gauteng

In Gauteng, the Hebron Taxi Association said its fare increases would take effect from next month. The association said local-distance fares would increase by R3, while short-distance commuters would pay R5 more.

ALSO READ: Swartruggens 11 in court today after 481kg meth bust

The Hammanskraal Taxi Organisation also confirmed fare increases from next month, with local routes increasing by R3 and short-distance fares by R5.

Similarly, the Northern Tshwane Taxi Industry announced fare hikes effective from next month, with commuters expected to pay an additional R3 on local trips and R5 on short-distance routes.

Limpopo

In Limpopo, the Seshego Polokwane Taxi Association (SPTA) confirmed that fare increases would come into effect from Monday.

Affected routes include Seshego to Polokwane town, Extension 70s, Emdo, Ladanna, Mall of the North and surrounding areas. The fare is expected to increase by R5.

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“After careful consideration, the industry has been left with no choice but to adjust fares in order to keep services running and protect the long-term sustainability of public transport for commuters,” SANTACO said.

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Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has described as “devastating” the moment his official vehicle struck a woman and her one-year-old son on the N1 near Bela-Bela in Limpopo, after visiting the victims’ grieving family on Friday.

Beauty Shoperai, 37, and her son, Paul Masunda Jr, 1, died on Saturday, 9 May, after they were hit by the vehicle transporting Motsoaledi.

ALSO READ: Aid reaches flood victims in Hluvukani

Shoperai’s husband, Paul Masunda, 44, had earlier been struck by another vehicle while crossing the highway.

The crashes happened near an informal bus stop used by travellers heading to Zimbabwe. Masunda had reportedly accompanied his wife and child to the bus stop before he was hit while crossing the N1.

Shoperai then got off the bus to check on him, carrying the child, when she and the boy were struck by Motsoaledi’s official vehicle.

Recounting the incident, Motsoaledi said the crash happened suddenly.

“It was very, very difficult. Everything happened [so fast]. I was seated at the back of the car when I saw that it looked like there was something at the front of the car. To discover that [we] just hit human beings, it was devastating,” he said.

“…I just stood there, because it was already dark the cars were just coming and we just could not stop them, they were moving very fast. I just felt helpless.”

On Friday, Motsoaledi took food parcels to the family and committed to assist with arrangements to repatriate the bodies to Zimbabwe for burial.

“We came also because the family needs repatriation back to Zimbabwe, and it so happen that coincidentally, the certification and arrangements to repatriate people across borders is done by Port Health, which is in the Department of Health. So we are going to see what arrangements we can do for them,” Motsoaledi said.

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Police have opened culpable homicide cases following the two crashes. The Independent Police Investigative Directorate is also involved because the drivers in both incidents are understood to be police officers.

Motsoaledi said law enforcement authorities had taken over the investigation.

“Police took over. We do not have any role in that. I subsequently heard that the drivers who were involved in these two different accidents happen to be police and that they are being charged for culpable homicide,” said Motsoaledi.

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Families in the greater Hluvukani region affected by recent floods received essential household items on Wednesday as government departments, municipalities and humanitarian organisations joined forces to assist communities still recovering from the disaster.

The relief initiative was led by the Department of Social Development in partnership with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), Ashraful Aid International Humanitarian Organisation, Ehlanzeni District Municipality and Bushbuckridge Local Municipality.

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Hundreds of residents gathered to receive aid packages containing grocery hampers, cleaning materials, gas stoves, gas cylinders, kitchen utensils, blankets, plastic containers and other household essentials aimed at helping families rebuild their lives after the floods destroyed property and displaced residents.

Bushbuckridge mayor Moroane thanked stakeholders and humanitarian partners for their continued support to struggling families.

The intervention follows severe flooding in Bushbuckridge earlier this year after persistent heavy rains battered parts of Mpumalanga, causing rivers to overflow, roads to become inaccessible and homes to be damaged across several communities.

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The Mpumalanga Department of Education temporarily suspended classes in Bushbuckridge due to dangerous weather conditions and flooded roads affecting learners and teachers.

Government assessments later revealed that more than 2,000 households in Bushbuckridge were affected by the floods, with several wards suffering extensive damage to homes and infrastructure.

Wednesday’s handover in Hluvukani formed part of an ongoing humanitarian response aimed at helping affected residents recover from months of hardship caused by the severe weather conditions.

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Ekurhuleni mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has welcomed a “historic milestone” towards energy security after formally welcoming 75 Independent Power Producers (IPPs) as part of a long-awaited strategy to diversify electricity supply away from Eskom.

Speaking at the Birchwood Conference Centre on Thursday, Xhakaza announced that the metro council had approved an Escrow Account framework for IPP projects and Eskom security deposits, paving the way for large-scale private sector investment into the city’s energy infrastructure.

“It is with great excitement that I inform you that the Council of Ekurhuleni has approved the Escrow Account framework for Independent Power Producer projects, as well as for Eskom security deposits,” Xhakaza said.

“This historic milestone closes an outstanding matter that has been unresolved for nearly two years and signals a new chapter in the City’s journey toward energy resilience, financial sustainability, and accelerated service delivery.”

The mayor said the approval created the legal and financial mechanism needed to unlock project finance for independent electricity generation facilities that would feed directly into Ekurhuleni’s electricity network.

“In plain terms, it means we now have a secure, bankable payment mechanism that gives financial institutions and project developers the confidence they need to invest in long-term energy generation projects in our city,” he said.

Xhakaza said the city currently managed a bulk electricity purchase portfolio worth nearly R20 billion annually, with Eskom remaining its sole supplier.

He said that single-supplier dependency remains a risk, and the metro has taken a decisive step to address it.

“By introducing Independent Power Producers, we seek to diversify our energy sources, improve pricing competitiveness, reduce long-term procurement risk, and build a more sustainable, resilient energy model for this metro,” Xhakaza said.

The initiative forms part of Ekurhuleni’s broader strategy to reduce pressure on the national grid while improving electricity reliability for residents and businesses.

Xhakaza stressed that the programme was not only about electricity supply, but also economic growth and revenue generation for the municipality.

“Greater energy availability will enable business expansion, attract new investors, stimulate industrial productivity, and ultimately grow municipal revenue through enhanced electricity sales and economic activity. This will result in more revenue for this municipality to deliver services to our people,” the mayor said.

The framework also addresses Eskom’s requirement for security deposits on large power-user connections by shifting liability from the municipality to qualifying large users.

He said that under this structure, the deposit liability moves from the municipality to qualifying large power users, thus protecting municipal finances, while ensuring that strategic developments are not delayed.

The mayor said residents and businesses would ultimately benefit through improved electricity reliability, reduced infrastructure constraints and faster implementation of major developments.

He said he would personally convene a strategic engagement with the seventy-five companies already appointed under the programme.

“Together, we will outline implementation modalities, governance frameworks, and project timelines so that this approval translates into action on the ground, without delay,” Xhakaza said.

The city estimates that the IPP programme will unlock infrastructure investment worth R16.2 billion across several energy streams, including R10 billion for solar photovoltaic projects, R4 billion for waste-to-energy initiatives, R1 billion for natural gas and R1.2 billion for innovative technologies.

According to the mayor, the projects are expected to create approximately 4,350 temporary construction jobs and 650 permanent positions.

Xhakaza also claimed the initiative could generate massive long-term savings for the municipality, with the purchasing of “cheaper and cleaner electricity”.

“The city will save around R200 billion over 20 years on bulk electricity purchases. Savings will shield the City’s residents from rising electricity tariffs,” the mayor said.

The city has become notorious for its power outages.

Earlier in the year, Ekurhuleni and Eskom reached an agreement on a payment plan to settle the municipality’s outstanding electricity debt.

The city has already paid R1.7 billion of R3.4 billion owed to Eskom, with the remaining balance to be settled over the next 18 months.

Last week, MMC for Metro Operations and Maintenance, Nomadlozi Nkosi, and the MMC for Metro Trading Utilities, Jean Sthato, conducted an oversight visit to central parts of Germiston following repeated outages.

Xhakaza welcomed the programme as a possible solution to improve electricity infrastructure, minimise power outages and enhance energy security across the metro.

“It unlocks infrastructure development, strengthens our revenue position, restores investor confidence, and opens new avenues for energy generation that will power economic growth and improve the lives of our people,” Xhakaza said.

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