SEDIBENG.– The recent allegations of racism against the Democratic Alliance (DA) by the Sedibeng Regional Secretary of the ANC, Jason Mkhwane, demand “careful scrutiny”, so said the DA’s Kingsol Chabalala DA Emfuleni North Constituency Head.

The allegations surfaced following municipal leadership changes wrangles in the Sedibeng District Municipality (SDM) and the Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM). Chabalala said that Mkhwane’s accusations demand careful scrutiny rather than, “acceptance at face value”.

Following the re-election of SDM and ELM Executive Mayors, Lerato Maloka and Sipho Radebe respectively after a Motion of No Confidence (MoNC) against both mayors in the two municipalities Mkhwane accused the DA of racism and said:

“We are acutely aware that the constant change of leadership at our municipalities, led primarily by the racist DA, is meant to disrupt our goal of serving our communities better. The DA’s strategy everywhere it is in opposition is clear: disrupt the stability of the municipality through petty MONCs such as they did in SDM and ELM, and blame the lack of service delivery on the ANC and its partners.”

In response to the allegations, speaking to Sedibeng Ster, Chabalala said that the motion against Maloka was based on specific governance concerns, not identity politics.

Maloka reportedly spent over R550,000 on a trip to Germany from the HIV, TB and STI Programmes budget. Even more concerning was an incident involving a Mercedes Benz GLB provided to the mayor, which developed mechanical problems after sugar granules were allegedly poured into the engine.

Chabalala added that, “Moreover, Maloka is also under investigation for the mayoral chain valued at R465 000, which mysteriously disappeared after the State of the District Address on 23 June 2023. These issues represent concerns about fiscal responsibility and the administering of public resources, not a sexist agenda as claimed by Disebo Tlebere, the ANC Regional Secretary of the Women’s League.”