SEDIBENG.- Sipho Radebe, the executive mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa requesting him to deploy the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) to the municipality.

The request for the deployment comes amidst allegations contained in a letter from the Roshnee Community about corruption, bribery, extortion, and fraudulent billing within the ELM’s immediate service delivery departments.

The Roshnee Services Crisis Committee (RSCC) letter addressed to then acting president on October 22, Enoch Godongwana, the Premier of Gauteng, Panyaza Lesufi, and Radebe himself expressed deep concern, fear, and outrage at what it said was the ongoing actions of the ELM’s Billing and Revenue Department.

“We are witnessing what feels like a return to oppression—our community is being intimidated, threatened, and unfairly targeted through unlawful electricity disconnections and a deeply flawed billing system,” the RSCC letter said.

It continued, “We have repeatedly requested meetings with the mayor and council to address these ongoing billing issues, yet our pleas remain unanswered. The billing system is grossly inaccurate — with water and electricity accounts estimated arbitrarily, and in some cases, households being billed millions of rand for modest two-bedroom homes.”

In the letter written to Ramaphosa, also seen by Sedibeng Ster, Radebe said that in direct response to the allegations, and in line with a commitment to clean and transparent governance, he has resolved to institute a comprehensive forensic investigation. This investigation will focus on service delivery departments where operational weaknesses and allegations of misconduct have been identified, including:

1. Revenue Collection
2. Electricity
3. Fleet Management
4. Stores (Fleet and Electricity)
5. Waste Management
6. Cemeteries
7. Supply Chain Management

Similarly, Radebe said that the municipality is arranging an urgent engagement with the Roshnee community leadership.

“The purpose of this meeting is to gain a detailed understanding of their concerns, provide transparency on our interventions, and reaffirm our commitment to accountable, responsive, and people-centred governance. We are fully aware of the gravity of this situation and the erosion of public trust that has ensued.”

Radebe ended by saying that Ramaphosa’s support will be deeply appreciated and will represent a decisive step toward restoring integrity, public confidence, and improved service delivery within the ELM.

The presidency is yet to reply to Radebe’s request.