Press Statement by – Councillor Palesa Mobango DA Whip in Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
- Municipal officials implicated in land sale corruption and nothing is being done.
- The conduct of these employees has resulted in the municipality being taken to court.
- We have requested the municipality to release a report on this corruption and take action.
21 July 2026
Release: Immediate
The DA in Steve Tshwete calls on the Municipal Manager, Mandla Mnguni, to release a forensic report detailing how corruption was orchestrated in the selling of stands in Dennesig.Over the years, the municipality has been involved in a land sale process whereby residents were invited to produce their identity and proof of residence amongst other documents.
This would then allow the municipality to verify these documents and allocate the stands to eligible residents. In 2024, it emerged that this process was flawed and as a result a number of senior officials were suspended and others resigned. It is further alleged that some councillors participated in a fraudulent manner in the purchasing of stands
Against this backdrop, the municipality further initiated an investigation into this matter with the aim of establishing the full extent of corruption that took place during this process.
The DA has now gathered that this investigation is complete and more officials are implicated in the selling of these stands. Despite this, the municipality is seemingly reluctant to release these findings and take action.
Interestingly, some residents who acquired these stands have allegedly taken the municipality to court. This comes after they discovered that the municipality sold the same stand to more than one more individual.
In some instances, residents who managed to acquire these stands are already selling them. It is understood that property consulting agencies are facilitating this process. It must be noted that this action goes against the municipal land sale policies.
The DA firmly stands for a transparent, responsible, and ethical government. We will continue to hold public representatives accountable for their actions, ensuring that those who fail to uphold the values expected of them are subjected to appropriate disciplinary measures.
The DA will not sit idle while certain municipal officials take advantage of vulnerable residents. We will ensure that the rule of the law is upheld and that officials implicated in wrongdoing are brought to the book.
For Media enquiries:
Palesa Mobango
DA Whip Steve Tshwete Local Municipality
073 975 8544