DA in Govan Mbeki Municipality calls for accountability over R16m irregular expenditure

The DA in the Govan Mbeki Municipality (GMM) has called on Mayor Nhlakanipho Zuma to take action against municipal manager Elliot Maseko following an alleged irregular payment of over R16m to a security company whose contract expired in August 2022.

According to the DA, the security company – responsible for guarding municipal properties – had alerted the GMM that its contract had lapsed, flagging concerns over a breach of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). Despite this, the GMM reportedly allowed the company to continue providing services month-to-month, accumulating irregular expenditures since the contract’s expiration.

DA PR Clr Lehlohonolo Madumise said that in October 2024, the council had resolved to advertise the security tender and appoint a new service provider by the end of March 2025.

However, Madumise claims the municipal manager again failed to appoint a compliant company and continued the month-to-month arrangement, which the DA alleges favours his associates.

ALSO CHECK: Standerton Primary’s Ameerah gets a gold merit badge

“It is illogical that the municipality has not secured a long-term security service provider for over two years,” said Madumise.

The DA has called for the mayor to investigate whether the municipal manager violated Section 62(1)(d) of the MFMA, which requires municipal accounting officers to prevent irregular, unauthorised, fruitless, and wasteful expenditures.

Madumise said residents should not suffer the consequences of poor governance. He said all implicated officials must be held accountable.

GMM’s media liaison and content development officer, Donald Green said that during the council meeting held on April 23, council resolved to allow the management time to prepare a detailed progress report on the security tender.

The item will be again discussed in the coming council meeting.

ALSO CHECK: Family in Standerton moves into allocated home after 4-year wait