By: Trudie Grove-Morgan MPL, DA Spokesperson on CoGTA
The Democratic Alliance (DA) will request Cooperative Governance MEC, Mandla Msibi, to conduct an audit into the lifestyles of municipal officials in the City of Mbombela after multiple reports of officials operating a syndicate that demands bribes from residents to connect their electricity illegally.
According to residents who approached the DA and other organizations this week, City of Mbombela Councillor, Kenneth Mkhonto allegedly demands bribes of R150 from Msholozi residents to illegally connect electricity for them. The complainants further allege that Mkhonto works with a syndicate that allegedly involves other Mbombela municipal officials.
Due to multiple setbacks, Msholozi has yet to be declared as a township and this has affected the City’s ability to deliver basic services to many areas within Msholozi. This has also left residents vulnerable to corrupt officials who force them to pay bribes in order to access basic services.
In the 2017/18 financial year, the City of Mbombela suffered electricity losses worth over R106 million, mostly due to illegal connections. This amount has increased by R33 million since the 2016/17 financial year.
Msholozi is one of many areas within the City of Mbombela that is riddled with illegal electricity connections which pose a danger to thousands daily.
Corruption and maladministration have become the main traits of the ANC’s leadership in the City of Mbombela. As a former Speaker to this embattled municipality, MEC Mandla Msibi is well placed to conduct a thorough investigation of his former colleagues and expose the corruption that has robbed the City of millions.
The DA has advised the complainants to present all their evidence to the South African Police Service and open a criminal case against Kenneth Mkhonto and all those alleged to be a part of this corruption syndicate.
Mpumalanga’s ailing municipalities will not recover as long as we have officials who are determined to loot this province dry. A DA led government will ensure that anyone found guilty of corruption will spend no less than 15 years in jail because money meant for the people, must be spent on the people.