VEREENIGING. – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is demanding that the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mzi Khumalo, launch an urgent investigation into the missing mayoral chain belonging to the Executive Mayor of the Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM), Lerato Maloka.

According to an affidavit seen by the party, the chain, valued at R465,000, mysteriously disappeared after the State of the District Address on June 23, 2023. However, a case of theft was not opened until November 12, 2023.

Kingsol Chabalala, Emfuleni North Constituency Head for the DA, expressed concern over the delay in reporting the matter to the police, given the seriousness of the situation. He also raised questions about the Sedibeng Council’s ability to safeguard its assets. Chabalala further highlighted that Mayor Maloka is also implicated in another concerning case involving a foreign substance found in the engine of the vehicle assigned to her by the SDM.

The DA insists that MEC Khumalo conduct a thorough investigation into both cases and ensure that those involved in criminal or negligent behaviour are held accountable. Efforts to obtain comment from the SDM were unsuccessful at the time of print.

Vereeniging police are reportedly investigating the case of the missing mayoral chain, and investigations are ongoing.