A damning report by Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) has exposed widespread irregularities, financial mismanagement, and a lack of accountability in Free State municipalities, leaving many dysfunctional.
The committee, conducting joint oversight with members from Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), the Auditor-General, and the Free State legislature, revealed a “vicious culture” of maladministration, where officials with fraudulent records are recycled across municipalities instead of facing consequences.
Systemic Failures and Rampant Corruption
The Auditor-General’s report highlighted that all 23 Free State municipalities are among the worst-performing in the country, with unauthorised expenditure, poor governance, and failing service delivery.
Key findings include:
-
Officials with Fraudulent Records in High Positions: Municipal managers, CFOs, and administrators implicated in fraud and unlawful contractor appointments are frequently moved between municipalities.
-
Mafube Local Municipality: The CFO was allegedly appointed without proper procedures, while the municipal manager lied to Parliament about qualifications.
-
Mayoral Misconduct: A mayor in one municipality was accused of misusing state funds for personal holidays under the guise of attending a local government summit.
-
Non-Functional Services: Water treatment plants in some areas have been non-operational for extended periods, leading to dire water shortages flagged by the Human Rights Commission.
Workers Suffer as Municipalities Collapse
The committee also uncovered severe labour issues:
-
Unpaid Salaries and Pensions: Municipalities like Kopanong and Mafube have failed to pay workers and third parties regularly. Employees eligible for retirement are forced to stay on without pensions due to municipal cash shortages.
-
Unqualified Appointments and Drawn-Out Disciplinary Cases: Some workers face disciplinary processes lasting over three years, while others, like an EPWP employee in Matjhabeng, allegedly earn exorbitant salaries (over R45,000) without justification.
-
Overtime Abuse: Millions in overtime payments have further strained struggling municipalities.
Resistance to Intervention and Impending Legal Action
Despite COGTA’s attempts to intervene, some municipalities have shown resistance. The committee warned that legal action is imminent against those flouting regulations.
“We are heading to court on matters where municipalities appoint officials unlawfully,” a committee representative stated. “If officials lie to Parliament, they must be arrested.”
Provincial Government Ordered to Act
The committee has mandated the Free State provincial government to:
-
Intervene immediately in failing municipalities.
-
Ensure regular progress reports on corrective measures.
-
Hold negligent officials accountable, including suspensions, dismissals, or criminal charges.
“There must be consequences—whether through disciplinary action, removal from office, or prosecution,” the committee emphasized. “Only then can we restore proper governance and service delivery.”
Conclusion: A Call for Accountability
The findings paint a bleak picture of local governance in the Free State, where corruption and mismanagement have crippled essential services. Parliament has now drawn a line, demanding urgent intervention to break the cycle of dysfunction.
As the provincial government steps in, the public will be watching closely to see if real change follows—or if the culture of impunity persists.
