The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has filed an inquiry with the Hawks to investigate Mzi Khumalo, the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), regarding an alleged corruption scandal involving generators in the Emfuleni Local Municipality.

According to Kingsol Chabalala, a DA Member of the Provincial Legislature (MPL), the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) purportedly spent more than R 15 million on generators. However, it remains uncertain whether this expenditure was for leasing or procuring these generators.

Chabalala highlighted discrepancies in MEC Khumalo’s statements regarding the allocation of funds. Initially, the MEC claimed that the money was used to procure generators for the municipality, rather than leasing them. Additionally, during the oral replies to the DA’s questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), the MEC specified that the inquiries were related to generator procurement, not leasing.

In response to subsequent queries from the DA, the MEC stated that no new generators had been procured within the last five financial years in ELM. Chabalala pointed out the inconsistency in the MEC’s statements, asserting that the DA has involved the Hawks to investigate the allocation of over R15 million towards generators, the whereabouts of these generators, and who benefited from this expenditure.

Chabalala emphasised that if the money was misappropriated, those implicated should be held accountable and obliged to return the funds meant for the residents of Emfuleni. Chabalala argues that the MEC is answerable for ensuring proper financial administration in municipalities.

The DA says it is  committed to overseeing the investigation’s progress and pledges to collaborate with the Hawks by providing all necessary information to ensure that those responsible face the full extent of the law.