NORTH WEST COGTA on expenditure and implementation of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant

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NORTH WEST COGTA on expenditure and implementation of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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The North West Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) continues to make progress on the expenditure and implementation of the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) with notable achievements recorded in infrastructure delivery across the province.

The North West Province has received a total MIG allocation of R2.19 billion, and the total annual allocation has been transferred to municipalities. The March expenditure report for the 2025/26 financial year, municipalities have collectively spent R1.3 billion, translating to 64% expenditure of the total allocation.

MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs - CoGHSTA, Gaoage Oageng Molapisi remain impressed about the expenditure performance of municipalities.

“The expenditure reflects ongoing investments in critical infrastructure such as water and sanitation, roads, stormwater systems, waste management, and community social facilities, which remain central to improving service delivery and the quality of life for residents across the province

The progress recorded demonstrates that municipalities are increasingly improving their capacity to deliver critical infrastructure. We remain on course to ensure 100% expenditure of funds allocated after achieving 99% last financial year” said MEC Molapisi.

Several municipalities have demonstrated strong performance in infrastructure spending and project implementation, particularly in districts such as Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, where expenditure reached 82% of allocated funds, signalling improved planning and execution capacity. Six (6) Municipalities have been allocated additional funds in the financial year to further implement infrastructure projects in their localities. They are - Kgetleng Rivier Local Municipality with R15 million, Maquassi Hills with R16 million, Ditsobotla - R37 million, Ratlou - R17 million, Lekwa Teemane - R12 million, Greater Taung - R19 million and Dr RSM with R50 million

“Some municipalities have lost portions of their allocation to other municipalities due to slow performance. In situations where problems persist, swift action is required to protect public monies. The lost portions will have an impact on the ongoing infrastructure projects implemented by the affected municipalities. Planned completion dates will now be prolonged into the new financial year.

These actions are not intended to penalise municipalities, but rather to improve performance. The reallocation is to ensure 100% expenditure of the grant in the province. When funds are reallocated, it is done to maximise impact and ensure that infrastructure delivery continues without delays” added MEC Molapisi.

In preparation for the 2026/27 Municipal Financial Year which commences in July 2026, the Department has supported municipalities through the assessment of Draft 2026/27 Implementation Plans, ensuring alignment with grant conditions, infrastructure priorities, and compliance with the Division of Revenue Act (DoRA).  This process is aimed at strengthening long-term infrastructure planning, addressing stalled projects, and ensuring sustainable service delivery.

The Department will convene a provincial MIG Workshop before the start of the next Municipal Financial Year to assess the State of Readiness for implementation of the MIG funded infrastructure projects. The aim is to ensure that municipalities finalise the appointment by end June 2026 so that construction can commence at the beginning of the financial year in July 2026.

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Special Investigating Unit obtains a Special Tribunal order freezing a Director's assets worth over R16 Million in UIF Ters Fraud

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Special Investigating Unit obtains a Special Tribunal order freezing a Director's assets worth over R16 Million in UIF Ters Fraud

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured an order from the Special Tribunal that freezes the assets of Mr Nhlakanipho Mngomezulu following the unlawful receipt of Temporary Employer/Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) funds.

The order follows an SIU investigation, which revealed that Lubelo Hlomuka Holdings, trading as SA Scrum Assembly, of which Mngomezulu is the director, unlawfully received approximately

R16,362,525.29 from the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF), administered by the Department of Employment and Labour, through a sophisticated fraudulent scheme. Between 2020 and 2022, shortly after receiving the funds, he went on a shopping spree, purchasing vehicles in cash. In addition, he and his company acquired four immovable properties, primarily in Pietermaritzburg,

KwaZulu-Natal, using the misappropriated funds.

The immovable properties subject to the preservation order:

Two properties in Glyndale, Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN)Four apartments in Pietermaritzburg, KZN

One property in Zeekoe Vallei, Ethekwini, KZN

The vehicles affected by the order include:

Volkswagen VN 750 Caravelle

KIA K2700,

Toyota Avanza

Ford Ranger

Bank accounts linked to Mngomezulu and SA Scrum Assembly have also been frozen. Protecting the public interest and assets through prevention measures and systemic investigations to eradicate fraud, maladministration, and corruption.

The SIU’s investigation found that the TERS funds were misappropriated through the use of ghost employees and diverted from their intended purpose of supporting workers affected by the COVID- 19 lockdown. Analysis of bank records confirmed that SA Scrum Assembly received 45 paymentsfrom the UIF, with no evidence that employee salaries were paid. Funds were instead channelledthrough other accounts in a pattern that appears to be a money-laundering scheme.

Furthermore, the SIU’s investigation revealed that Mngomezulu personally benefited from the scheme, receiving more than R5 million in multiple payments derived from the TERS funds.

In November 2025, the SIU approached the Special Tribunal, seeking preservation orders over the identified properties, vehicles, and bank accounts, with a view to ultimately forfeiting these assets to the State.

The President of the Special Tribunal, Judge Margaret Victor, granted an interim order prohibitingMngomezulu from selling, disposing of, transferring, leasing, or otherwise dealing with the identified assets pending the finalisation of the matter.

President Cyril Ramaphosa authorised the SIU to investigate allegations made in respect of the affairs of the Unemployment UIF in terms of Proclamation R.8 of 2021. The SIU investigated TERS payments to persons who were not entitled to receive such payments; submitted false, irregular, invalid or defective applications to the UIF, including the causes of such maladministration.

The SIU remains committed to holding accountable those who unlawfully benefit from public funds and to ensuring that monies intended for workers during the COVID-19 pandemic are recovered.

In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the SIU will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action.

The SIU is also authorised to initiate civil proceedings in the High Court or a Special Tribunal in its name to correct any wrongdoing uncovered during its investigation and to recover financial losses suffered by the State, including funds paid for services not rendered.

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MEDIA BRIEFING BY MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER LIEUTENANT GENERAL SEMAKALENG MANAMELA

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MEDIA BRIEFING BY MPUMALANGA PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER LIEUTENANT GENERAL SEMAKALENG MANAMELA

BY : CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS ONLINE EDITOR KASiBC_AFRiCA 

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The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) notes of the extensive and deeply troubling media briefing delivered by Mpumalanga Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant- General Semakaleng Manamela, today. This briefing is an account of internal disagreements within the South African Police Service (SAPS), and a damning exposé of a police service that has been systematically captured by criminal syndicates, corrupt officials, and politically connected networks. 

Lieutenant-General Manamela outlines how, since at least 2021, attempts to build an effective crime-fighting machinery in Mpumalanga, particularly through the establishment of a multi-disciplinary Provincial Task Team. were deliberately undermined.

This Task Team, which successfully investigated over 150 serious cases including ATM bombings, political killings, business robberies, and illegal mining, was repeatedly disbanded during periods of her suspension. Critical case dockets were forcibly removed from investigators, left to gather dust in provincial offices, or manipulated within the system, resulting in cases being withdrawn, suspects released, and justice denied.

The briefing details how senior officers allegedly seized control of dockets, with some individuals found to be in possession of over 200 unresolved cases dating as far back as 2011. These dockets, instead of being investigated, were allegedly used as instruments of protection for criminals, with fake movements captured on systems to create the illusion of progress. This deliberate collapse of investigative integrity has allowed organised crime to flourish in Mpumalanga with the full knowledge—and in some instances, participation—of senior SAPS leadership.

Equally alarming are revelations of direct political interference in policing operations.

Former Police Minister Bheki Cele is accused of unlawfully inserting himself into operational matters, including attempting to influence politically sensitive cases and even misusing police resources for partisan purposes.

The briefing further alleges that senior police officials maintained close relationships with known criminals, business figures involved in illegal mining, and extortion syndicates, receiving financial benefits and protection in return.

Lieutenant-General Manamela also exposes how efforts to hold corrupt officers accountable were systematically blocked. Her disciplinary powers were stripped, her attempts to escalate corruption to the National Commissioner General Fannie Masemola were ignored, and instead of action being taken against those implicated, she herself was subjected to repeated suspensions. The National Commissioner is accused of shielding implicated individuals, reversing disciplinary processes, and effectively rendering the Provincial Commissioner powerless.

The EFF is further disturbed by allegations of large-scale corruption involving millions of rand, including claims that payments were made to senior officials to ensure that Lieutenant-General Manamela would not return to her position, as her presence threatened to reopen criminal cases implicating powerful individuals. These claims point to a coordinated effort to neutralise ethical leadership within SAPS and protect a criminal enterprise embedded within the state.

Additionally, the briefing highlights the extent to which illegal mining operations, human trafficking networks, and extortion rackets have infiltrated law enforcement.

Senior officers are alleged to have direct ties to these activities, including facilitating the movement of illicit goods, interfering with arrests, and benefiting financially from criminal enterprises. The failure to act on these matters, despite repeated reporting, demonstrates a collapse of accountability at the highest levels.

Within this broader pattern of systemic corruption and interference, the EFF is particularly outraged by the revelations concerning the murder of Hillary Gardee, the daughter of EFF Deputy President Godrich Gardee.

Lieutenant-General Manamela’s briefing alleges that the investigation into Hillary Gardee’s murder was deliberately compromised. A senior police official is accused of assisting a key suspect to evade arrest, maintaining communication with the suspect, and misleading investigators by falsely presenting herself as part of the investigative process. This allowed the suspect to remain at large despite being wanted for a heinous crime.

Further disturbing are claims that when the suspect was eventually apprehended and confessed to the murder, resistance emerged from within SAPS to pursue the case.

Instead of strengthening the investigation, there were attempts to weaken it, including the irregular handling of forensic evidence.

The briefing also alleges that there was pressure to close the docket prematurely, despite the existence of a confession and other leads. This suggests a deliberate attempt to obstruct justice and protect individuals who may be linked to the crime or have an interest in ensuring that the truth does not emerge.

For the EFF, this confirms that Hillary Gardee was not only a victim of a brutal crime, but also of a criminal justice system that actively works to protect perpetrators when it suits powerful interests.

The EFF hails Lieutenant-General Manamela for her bravery in coming forward and calls for her to urgently appear before the Madlanga Commission. The breadth and severity of these allegations require formal, protected testimony under oath, and a fullscale investigation.

The EFF also demands that the Hillary Gardee case be subjected to immediate independent review. All individuals implicated in interfering with the investigation must be suspended and investigated, and any evidence of tampering must result in criminal prosecution.

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