The DA calls for an urgent intervention and consequence management following widespread financial misconduct in Capricorn District municipalities.
This comes in response to the latest Capricorn District MPAC Forum report which revealed unauthorised, irregular, fruitless, and wasteful (UIFW) expenditure in the 2024/25 financial year.
The findings point to a collapse in financial oversight at local government level undermining the principles of accountability and transparency outlined in the Municipal Finance Management Act .
Instances of irregular and unauthorised expenditure include:
- Polokwane Municipality currently faces ongoing investigations into unauthorised expenditure of over R52 million and irregular expenditure of over R38 million. There is no clear indication of consequence management or recovery.
- Blouberg Municipality wrote off over R19 million in irregular expenditure involving six companies, as well as R577,549.60 in unauthorised UIF payments to former political staff.
- Lepelle-Nkumpi Municipality recorded over R13 million in irregular and R322,542 in unauthorised expenditure, all written off without accountability.
The Capricorn District Municipality and Molemole Local Municipality are, on the other hand, to be commended for reporting no UIFW expenditure, a standard all municipalities should be working towards.
Multiple non-functional or underutilised water and sanitation projects were also identified across the district and include:
- Package plants at Sekonye, Bolahlakgomo, and Sadu not in use.
- Mogwadi Waste Water Treatment Plant abandoned by contractor.
- Evaporation ponds at Nailana WS not constructed.
What is most troubling is not just the scale of the financial losses or failed projects, but the growing normalisation of write-offs, and the apparent lack of urgency in holding anyone accountable. These are funds meant for service delivery, infrastructure, and economic development — not political indulgence or administrative carelessness or malfeasance.
The DA calls for transparent investigations into all UIFW cases, recovery of funds, accountability for those responsible, and strengthened oversight through MPACs and audit committees. We further demand MFMA training for councillors and officials, and full implementation of cost containment measures in all municipalities.
The people, businesses, and institutions of the Capricorn District deserve municipalities that manage public money with care, competence, and integrity. The DA will continue to lead the charge in exposing waste, demanding accountability, and fighting for good governance that delivers for the people of Capricorn.