Please note this is a breaking story and will be updated for readers when we know more.

uThukela District Municipal Manager, Mr Jili, was reportedly taken into police custody yesterday (October 21) over allegations of corruption.

According to reports, the official was allegedly arrested during a police sting operation. However, the full circumstances surrounding the arrest remain unclear.

He has not yet been charged but has been detained for questioning.

HAWKS respond

HAWKS KZN spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo has confirmed that Mr Jili has been taken into custody but has not yet been charged. The operation is still ongoing.

At the time of publishing this article, both uThukela District Municipality and Siyabonga Masoka, the manager in the Mayor’s Office, were unable to comment on the matter.

The DA has released the following response to the arrest:

DA Calls for Full Accountability Following Reported Hawks Arrest of uThukela Municipal Manager

By Cllr Thys Janse van Rensburg – DA uThukela Chairperson

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in uThukela has received reports that Municipal Manager Langelihle Jili was arrested by the Hawks in Ladysmith last night, and we are in possession of the case reference number. We welcome decisive law-enforcement action against suspected corruption and await official confirmation of the arrest and any charges.

For years, the DA has raised serious concerns about alleged corruption, financial misconduct and the abuse of public funds under the IFP-led uThukela District Municipality. We have made submissions to the Hawks regarding suspected wrongdoing and repeatedly demanded accountability from those entrusted with public resources.

While residents endure prolonged water outages, failing infrastructure and deteriorating services, serious questions remain about municipal expenditure, procurement and political oversight. The DA believes that tackling corruption is essential to ending uThukela’s water crisis. Investigations must follow the evidence wherever it leads, including possible involvement by municipal officials, political office-bearers and service providers.

An arrest is not a conviction, and the DA respects the presumption of innocence and the independence of the criminal justice system. We call for full municipal cooperation with investigators, protection of relevant records and continued delivery of essential services.

With local government elections scheduled for 4 November 2026, corruption, accountability and service delivery must be central to public debate. The DA’s position is clear: corruption must be confronted decisively, public money must be protected, and those responsible for wrongdoing must face consequences.

The DA will continue advocating for our “Stop the Chaos, Start Service Delivery” programme in uThukela and municipalities elsewhere, placing anti-corruption measures, competent administration and reliable services at the centre. Residents deserve the opportunity to scrutinise every party’s record and proposals on corruption before casting their votes.

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