SEDIBENG.- The Office of the Executive Mayor of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM), Sipho Radebe, has said that it has noted, with serious concern and disapproval, the circulation of false allegations on social media platforms saying that the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Finance, Hassan Mako, has been arrested.

In a statement issued today, Tuesday, the municipality said that that certain anonymous individuals have embarked upon a smear campaign, maliciously alleging that Mako has been arrested in connection with the so-called “R16 million fleet matter.”

“The photograph is deliberately misrepresented”

Furthermore, a photograph is said to be currently in circulation that has been deliberately misrepresented to suggest that Mako is a Fleet Manager within the ELM and has been apprehended in that capacity.

“These allegations are entirely false, baseless, and devoid of any factual or legal foundation. For the avoidance of doubt, the Executive Mayor categorically states that Councillor Hassan Mako has not been arrested, nor is he, to the best of the mayor’s knowledge and based on available information, a suspect or person of interest in relation to the forensic investigation concerning the fleet management matter.”

 The statement further said that Radebe has personally engaged with Mako, who has confirmed that he has not been arrested in connection with this matter or any other matter.

The Municipal Manager has been instructed to institute appropriate legal and disciplinary processes

“The public is reminded that the Emfuleni Local Municipality, acting within the prescripts of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 and the Local Government: Municipal Finance Management Act, 2003, has resolved through Council to mandate the Municipal Manager to institute appropriate legal and disciplinary processes against any officials implicated in the relevant forensic report. These processes are ongoing and must be allowed to proceed in accordance with the rule of law, due process, and principles of administrative justice. The Executive Mayor therefore calls upon members of the public, particularly residents of the Emfuleni region, to exercise restraint, responsibility, and discernment in their use of social media platforms.

The municipality urged the public to refrain from sharing unverified information and to respect the integrity of lawful processes.

“The Office of the Executive Mayor strongly condemns these irresponsible actions and appeals for calm, sobriety, and respect for the rule of law to prevail at all material times.”