The DA in Ephraim Mogale municipality requested the municipal manager, Mogobadi Moropa, for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged fraudulent appointment practices by officials.
Our investigation into the appointment of the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) for the electrical project in Ward 7 revealed that municipal officials actively participated in creating false documentation to secure employment for individuals who do not meet the basic residency requirements for Ward 7 positions.
This is not an isolated incident. Similar fraudulent practices occurred during the employment of EPWP (Expanded Public Works Program) workers for Ward 7 which included:
- Facilitating fraudulent proof of residence documentation
- Assisting non-residents in obtaining false affidavits
- Manipulating legitimate appointment procedures for multiple programmes
- Repeated abuse of EPWP employment processes
Nepotism and cadre deployment undermine the rights of all Ward 7 residents to be given a fair chance for employment by the municipality and further erodes public trust in local government.
We reject this abuse of municipal resources and positions. The DA requires transparency around this investigation and expect that implicated officials be held accountable through disciplinary processes and ,if found guilty, be held criminally responsible.
The residents and ratepayers of Ward 7 deserve fair and transparent employment practices that prioritise their community members for local opportunities.