The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo welcomes the arrest of the former Legal Manager of the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality (Groblersdal) in connection with fraud and corruption allegations relating to tender irregularities and the appointment of a service provider that did not meet the required standards.
Notably, the Hawks media statement issued on 16 April 2026 refers to collusion between municipal official(s)and a service provider, clearly indicating that more individuals are involved than the current accused. We trust that this investigation will be pursued without fear or favour and we look forward to further arrests as accountability finally begins to take hold.
Municipalities are funded by the public, and the strongest possible action must be taken against those who misuse or abuse public funds. Every rand lost to corruption is a rand taken away from service delivery, from water, roads, and basic infrastructure that residents depend on daily.
Residents have their electricity swiftly cut off when they fail to pay their rates and taxes. We call on the National Prosecuting Authority to act with the same urgency and decisiveness to ensure justice is served and those responsible are held fully accountable.
Unfortunately, corruption in the Elias Motsoaledi Municipality is not new. In 2023, the then Municipal Manager, Minah Maredi, was arrested in connection with the irregular appointment of a consulting firm that cost taxpayers nearly R700 000. This pattern of misconduct reflects a municipality plagued by weak governance and a lack of consequence management.
We also cannot ignore the infamous VBS scandal between 2015 and 2018, where approximately R190 million in public funds was invested into the now defunct VBS Bank, and where an ANC Mayor reportedly received kickbacks of R300 000. These are not isolated incidents; they are part of a deeply entrenched culture of corruption.
It is clear that the ANC-led Elias Motsoaledi Municipality is rotten to the core and has failed its residents. Communities deserve better; they deserve a government that serves them, not one that enriches itself at their expense.
With the 2026 Local Government Elections approaching, residents will have the opportunity to hold those responsible accountable at the ballot box. The DA stands ready to rescue Elias Motsoaledi Municipality and restore honest, accountable governance.