Sedibeng District Municipality mayor Lerato Maloka's stepson, Kgotso Mkhize, has been accused of being among the officials who siphoned off millions of rand from the municipality's drivers' license centre.
Image: Supplied
THE Sedibeng District Municipality has revealed that R23.5 million has been stolen in its licensing department, including by mayor Lerato Maloka’s stepson, Kgotso Mkhize.
The theft was revealed by Sedibeng municipal manager Motsumi Mathe in response to questions from the DA posed to Gauteng Gauteng cooperative governance and traditional affairs (Cogta) MEC Jacob Mamabolo, who detailed the widespread looting.
Mkhize is accused of stealing R5.5m from one of the municipality’s drivers’ license centres in December last year.
According to Mathe, fraudulent transactions were performed on the eNatis system but off site and the money was not banked.
”It was done on the user number and password of the cashier,” he explained, adding that the matter was reported to the Hawks.
The municipality suspended Mkhize but he has not yet been charged as the anti-crime unit of the National Department of Transport is investigating, and the Hawks are probing for possible criminal prosecution. Mathe also confirmed that Mkhize is Maloka’s stepson.
The municipal manager also revealed that this was not the first time millions of rand have been stolen in this manner at its drivers’ license centres.
Between November 2021 and December last year at different intervals, seven employees identified as – B.T. Mnguni, S. Mahlasela, S.M. Motloung, T.N. Pitso, M.D. Phetisa, M.W. Mthimkulu and O. Hlongwane – are the suspects in the theft of R18m.
Three are still facing disciplinary action while another four have had theirs concluded. In addition, the municipality has reported the matter to the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC).
National Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi obtained preservation orders against two officials arrested at the Meyerton Driver License Testing Centre in October 2023 with more than R42 000 in cash in their possession.
At the time, the RTMC’s national traffic anti-corruption unit and the police’s commercial crimes unit arrested seven officials, and Ramotheo Samuel Mapohosha and Johannes Mthembu were found with R36 330 and R5 860, respectively, and the cash is believed to be proceeds of suspected criminal activity.
Batohi was granted the preservation orders by North Gauteng High Court Deputy Judge President Aubrey Ledwaba and they gave Mapohosha and Mthembu and all persons who may have an interest in the cash to understand that it is now at risk.
”You are advised to obtain legal advice on whether your interest can be protected and, if so, on how to protect it. You are notified that the National Director (of Public Prosecutions) will, within 90 days of publication of this notice, apply to the high court under section 48 of the Prevention of Organized Crime Act for a forfeiture order,” the order stated.
DA MPL Kingsol Chabalala expressed concerns about the alleged nepotism in the municipality, saying the allegations of misconduct confirm that Sedibeng is being run into the ground by a cabal of criminals, some of whom are connected by familial ties.
He said the party will follow up with the Hawks and National Department of Transport’s anti-crime unit for updates on progress in these cases.
”The DA will continue to pressure Cogta to ensure that all municipalities properly vet every individual appointed to public office. This process should include a declaration of any relationships these individuals may have with others in the system,” Chabalala added.
Last month, Maloka was re-elected as mayor after having been ousted in a vote of no confidence in January.
loyiso.sidimba@inl.co.za