Press Statement by Nwabisa Tlhakudi: DA Councillor in Gert Sibande District Municipality
- Gert Sibande District fleet was allegedly used during voter registration weekend.
- There is no tangible proof showing that vehicles were on municipal duty.
- The DA has asked the relevant manager to investigate this matter and take action.
9 July 2026
Release: Immediate
The Democratic Alliance in Gert Sibande District Municipality calls on the Acting General Manager for Corporate Service, Muziwakhe Madonsela, to urgently investigate the alleged misuse of the municipal fleet.
Once again, the DA has uncovered that during the recent Local Government Election registration weekend between 20 and 21 June, the municipality’s fleet was allegedly used for voter registration purposes across a number of voting districts in Gert Sibande.
According to a Corporate Service report, the municipality has claimed that these vehicles were being serviced during this period. However, there are no invoices or any other form of evidence showing that the municipal vehicles were serviced during this period.
The municipality should improve their asset protection and implement an effective register for vehicle usage. The municipality’s conduct is unethical and unbecoming. We expect the Manager for Corporate Service to take accountability and ensure that resources of the municipality are used effectively, efficiently and economically.
Municipal vehicles should be used to enhance service delivery and nothing else. The DA reiterates that this is a blatant disregard for basic asset protection. The municipality’s conduct in this regard constitutes a potential violation of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) through irregular and unauthorised expenditure.
The municipality needs to put a stop on this uncalled-for operation and ensure accountability. The people of Gert Sibande deserve transparent, ethical governance not leaders who abuse their power and the resources meant to serve the community.
It must be noted that such maladministration and failure to operate in accordance with the fleet management prescribed norms and standards could cripple the municipality’s finances.
With this in mind, we urge the municipality to act urgently on this matter and initiate an investigation. The municipality needs to start implementing consequence management where possible. It cannot be business as usual while municipal resources are misused.
For media enquiries:
Nwabisa Tlhakudi
DA Councillor in Gert Sibande District Municipality
078 870 3800