DA to lay criminal charges against 10 municipal managers over failures of financial management

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced plans to file criminal charges against ten municipal managers from nine different municipalities across South Africa over repeated failures in financial management and accountability. The accused officials have overseen municipalities that consistently received disclaimed audit opinions, ignored recommendations from the Auditor-General, and allowed serious financial mismanagement to persist. The list includes managers from the Free State, Eastern Cape, North West and Western Cape provinces. Among the targeted individuals is Pumelelo Maxwell Kate, who served as manager of the Makana Local Municipality in the Eastern Cape since November 2022. His tenure saw seven consecutive disclaimed audits, indicating systemic issues in financial reporting and governance. Similarly, Thabiso Klaas, manager of the Sundays River Valley Local Municipality, also faced seven consecutive disclaimed audits since his appointment in January 2023. In the Free State, Majalefa Matlole, appointed to the Masilonyana Local Municipality in October 2023, has a record of a decade of disclaimed audit opinions, highlighting long-standing problems in local governance. Other implicated managers include Mokete Solomon Nhlapo, acting manager of the Nketoana Local Municipality, who has faced seven years of disclaimed audits and five persistent material irregularities. MS Mohale, acting manager of the Mohokare Local Municipality, has been in charge since December 2023 and has encountered three years of disclaimed audits alongside seven material irregularities. In the North West province, Olaotse Bojosinvane, manager of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality, has been associated with nine years of audit failure since his appointment in July 2024. Advocate Dillo Sereo, acting manager of the Kannaland Local Municipality in the Western Cape, has faced four years of disclaimed audit opinions since his appointment in July 2024. Meanwhile, in the Free State, advocate MM Mofokeng and Dr FP Mothamaha, managers of the Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality, were identified as among the worst-performing municipalities in South Africa. Their appointments spanned different periods, with Mofokeng taking office in November 2024 and Mothamaha in March 2020. Olehile Allan Losaba, manager of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality in the North West, was appointed in 2019 but was suspended for misconduct in 2025. His tenure included overseeing a R4.6 million inflated water tanker contract, which led to personal liability according to the Auditor-General. This contract has also been referred for criminal prosecution due to its implications for public funds and service delivery. DA Parliamentary Leader George Michalakis stated that the charges would be pursued under Section 173(1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act, addressing gross negligence, material accounting irregularities, and providing false information to the Auditor-General. He emphasized the need for competent officials appointed on merit, strict enforcement of accountability, and professionalization of municipal administration through ongoing training. Michalakis stressed that South Africans deserve efficient municipalities that protect public money and deliver essential services. He called for an end to the culture of political protection and consequence-free mismanagement, underscoring the importance of accountability in local governance.