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Thursday, 27 November 2025
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Mayor accused of meddling with finances
Payments questionable MARTI WILL
Revelations have surfaced about exorbitant spending on renovations of the Ferdi Meyer Hall, which has resulted in a substantial financial burden for Matjhabeng taxpayers whilst basic services continue to deteriorate. Vista has received credible information indicating that nearly a million rand was allegedly remitted to the company involved in the renovation in a manner that bypassed required procurement and supply chain processes. Sources allege that payments were made without proper submissions, relying exclusively on quotations from a single service provider. Senior officials claim that the executive mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha, has applied relentless pressure on managers to authorise deviations to justify the unauthorised payments, with most payments having been made without formal submissions. The pressure to compel officials to authorise deviations has triggered widespread concern and a significant increase in absenteeism, including sick leave, among both senior and junior staff members. The refusal to authorise deviations was subsequently endorsed by several managers, including the executive director of Infrastructure, who has allegedly been subjected to verbal abuse.
Evolving into a worse hindrance
The residents of five houses at the bottom end of Fiskaal Street in Welkom live in appalling conditions and virtually need inflatable boats to get into their properties. Conditions in this area have long been the subject of speculation, discussion and confusion. As early as 2020 the seepage that originates from Toronto Pan into Fiskaal Street formed part of a Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Parliamentary Report. Despite this, the situation continues to worsen, and after the heavy rains a veritable mini ecosystem can be seen forming in the road. What appears to be tiny fish are reportedly visible swimming in the water covering the road, whilst a sewer drain in front of the one house continues to pump water into the already flooded road. Ward councillor Coreen Malherbe says municipal officials have been avoiding solutions to the crisis. PHOTO: Marti Will
The R6 million allegedly spent on the Economic Summit has outraged residents struggling with deteriorating roads, sewage spills, and uncollected refuse for months. This wasteful expenditure occurs whilst the South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) has protested the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) that has persisted for months, further undermining municipal operations. Stakeholders, including Samwu, have questioned the decision to host the fifth summit amid ongoing service delivery failures and implementation of the financial recovery plan. Despite operating under administration, the executive mayor’s event hosting continues unabated, undermining the gravity of the municipality’s financial predicament. The Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) strictly regulates when and how municipalities can deviate from standard competitive procurement processes. Deviations are permitted only in exceptional circumstances, such as emergencies or when a single provider is the sole option. These deviations are tightly controlled, require comprehensive justification, and must be reported to the relevant treasury and auditor-general (AG). Frequent deviations indicate poor planning or governance failures. Despite full implementation of the Financial Recovery Plan
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Tastic Long Grain Parboiled Rice 2kg
Lucky Star Pilchards Asstd. 400g
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Maggi 2 Minute Noodles Asstd. 5’s
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Parmalat Cheese Asstd. 850g
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Brown Bread 2 f or
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(FRP), municipal management continues to undermine Administrator Makalo Mohale and his team from the provincial and national treasury. Contrary to the FRP team’s directive to halt position advertisements except for the municipal manager role, management proceeded with interview processes for internal audit positions and attempted to conduct interviews for the labour relations manager position. The evidence reveals a blatant disregard for the FRP, highlighting municipal leadership’s apparent determination to continue irregular spending practices. Expenditure on imbizos continues to burden ratepayers, whilst excessive spending on media advertising − a practice the executive mayor pledged to halt upon assuming office − has escalated dramatically. Recently, the communications department was allegedly allocated nearly R1 million to promote the investment summit. This pattern of financial mismanagement continues whilst residents endure collapsed basic services, raising serious questions about accountability and governance oversight in municipalities operating under provincial administration. The situation in Matjhabeng exemplifies the challenges facing local government financial management. Municipal officials were not available for comment.