Matlosana Municipality CFO's Future Hangs in the Balance Amid Corruption Scandal

The city of Matlosana in South Africa's North West province has found itself in the throes of a corruption scandal following the arrest of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Mercy Phetla. Phetla's future with the Matlosana Local Municipality hangs in the balance as a special council meeting is slated to decide her fate this Thursday. The senior municipal official was charged by the Hawks with receiving an illicit kickback, and the outcome of the meeting could have significant implications for governance in the municipality.

Mercy Phetla stands accused of corruption, the allegations center on the reception of a luxury vehicle from GMHM Construction and Projects as a quid pro quo for a lucrative tender. The car in question, a VW Amarok bakkie, is valued at 1.4 million Rand, bringing into focus the severity of the charges laid against her. With the incident allegedly happening as recently as June 2023, it exemplifies a pressing challenge to public sector integrity that faces not just Matlosana but municipalities across the country.

The unfolding narrative took a critical turn last Wednesday when Phetla, accompanied by GMHM employees Matshepiso Mothelesane and Nomthandazo Mokasule, was arrested. Each was granted bail the following day, with the sum set at R35,000. Since then, Phetla has reportedly continued her duties at the municipality, raising questions about appropriate conduct post-arrest and the efficacy of municipal regulation when facing serious allegations of this nature.

Matlosana Executive Mayor James Tsolela has promised due process, indicating their actions will be informed by legal guidelines. However, the specific steps to be taken in response to Phetla's charges await the report submission by Municipal Manager Lesego Seametsa, who has shown reticence to publicly comment on the case. The report is crucial as it will inform the council's decision-making in the matter.

The provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA NW) has not been silent on the issue. MEC Nono Moloi reasserted the department's commitment to clean governance and ethical leadership. The department's oversight role, though respectful of municipal autonomy, ensures adherence to the law, and in this case, the Code of Conduct as prescribed in the Municipal Systems Act.

Curtailing the risk of misinformation and public concern, the municipality implored residents to maintain calm, asserting their dedication to fighting corruption and ensuring transparency and accountability in their governance.

In contrast, political response was swift from opposition benches, with DA caucus leader Johannes le Grange calling for an urgent special council meeting. Le Grange has vocalized the necessity of the immediate suspension of Phetla to preserve the integrity of the municipal administration while the court determines the veracity of the allegations against her.

As the special council meeting approaches, the focus is not only on the legal outcomes for Phetla but also on the broader health of governance structures within South African municipalities. The story underscores the delicate balancing act between autonomy and accountability that must be maintained to foster public trust in local government.