The Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) demands that action be taken in response to the forensic report on the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality (Secunda, Bethal, Evander, Embalenhle, Kinross, Leandra, Trichardt, Charl Cilliers) that was tabled at the latest council meeting.
The investigation by Peyper Forensics revealed widespread and wilful corruption, with more than 16 000 unauthorised account consolidations and transactions, dated between 2022 and 2025, resulting in revenue losses amounting to at least R223 million through the unlawful concealment of debt.
At least 340 accounts were advantaged while more than 4 600 residents were disadvantaged, directly contributing to the Municipality’s financial collapse.
Twelve officials have been directly implicated, while several other employees resigned before or during the investigation, further undermining accountability.
Meanwhile, residents face unreliable water supply, frequent power outages and sporadic refuse removal because funds intended for service delivery have been lost to corruption.
The Freedom Front Plus supports the recommendation that the matter be referred to the police and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation at once, that the digital audit trail be completed and that all remaining forensic work be finalised urgently.
In terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act, losses must be recovered, internal controls increased, access to the Munsoft system secured, and oversight of revenue and finance divisions intensified.
The party demands that legal proceedings be immediately instituted for all fraud and corruption, that all unauthorised debt reversals and consolidations be re-invoiced and recovered, and that guilty officials be permanently banned from the public service.
Residents deserve a municipality that safeguards funds and delivers services – not one where corruption flourishes with impunity.
The Freedom Front Plus will closely monitor the implementation of every recommendation and ensure it happens quickly.
