Nketoana Local Municipality faces heavy criticism after issuing an advertisement to purchase a vehicle for mayor Mamiki Mokoena. Picture: Supplied
THE mayor of the embattled Nketoana Local Municipality in the Free State continues to draw heavy criticism over the misuse of taxpayers’ money.
This was after the municipality issued an advert to purchase a vehicle for mayor Mamiki Mokoena.
However, it has been alleged that the advert was issued without the required council approval.
The advertisement, seen by the Sunday Independent, stated that the bids would be evaluated in terms of prices and bidders would pay a fee of R500. It was issued in Mokoena’s office.
The DA in the area said this could result in an unauthorised expenditure because no council resolution permitted such action.
Asked for a comment, Mokeona said questions should directed to the municipal manager Mokete Nhlapo, who did not respond.
The DA councillor Diphaphang Mofokeng said the advertisement was for a replacement vehicle and was made without the approval of the council.
“Furthermore, according to Municipal Cost Containment Regulation 6 of 2019, mayors' vehicles can only be purchased after the council has been provided with detailed information on various criteria, such as the condition of the current vehicle, affordability options, and the extent of service delivery backlogs.
“None of this information has been made available to the council,” said Mofokeng, adding that his party disagreed with the process until all aspects of legislation surrounding this matter have been complied with.
The advert was issued after the DA called for an investigation into Mokoena’s alleged excessive expenditure on vehicle rental and fuel costs.
This was after the cash-strapped municipality spent almost R100 000 on a rented Toyota Fortuner and fuel.
This was after Mokoena damaged a BMW 4 Series and another vehicle, which were purchased by the municipality in 2021 and 2023.
Both vehicles were written off and the municipality failed to produce a report about what happened, and no logbooks were provided.
Mofokeng said the DA called for a comprehensive investigation into Mokoena’s excessive expenditure and the immediate release of the logbook for the official mayoral vehicle.
He said the party also demanded a full report on the circumstances surrounding the previous mayoral car involved in an accident. “Despite our repeated requests in Council for the logbook and an explanation regarding the accident involving the mayoral car, these documents have not been presented.”
During a televised interview on Newzroom Afrika, the mayor’s spokesperson mentioned that a process was underway to purchase a new vehicle.
However, the advertisement placed last week does not comply with clause 5.1.4.1 of the Mayoral Handbook, which states: “Mayors or their private secretaries should direct all applications for allocation or replacement of official vehicles to the Exco or the Council, as the case may be,” he said.
Mofokeng also added that the party would raise this issue in the provincial legislature and write to the MEC of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) demanding a thorough investigation and immediate disclosure of all relevant documents.
He said this would ensure transparency and accountability.
manyane.manyane@inl.co.za
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