ActionSA has accused the Ekurhuleni administration of avoiding accountability by failing to table a forensic report into a R1.8bn chemical toilet tender.
According to ActionSA’s Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate, Xolani Khumalo, the administration under Ekurhuleni Mayor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza has neglected to present several forensic reports submitted in June and compiled by the late chief auditor, Mpho Mafole.
Mafole was shot dead in July while driving on the R23 in Esselen Park.
Khumalo said the administration’s failure to present the report before the council had raised concerns about transparency and accountability.
“The allegations of irregularities in the tender’s selection process are deeply concerning and warrant a thorough investigation given the scale and value of the contract,” Khumalo stated.
He added that if the administration fails to table the report before the council in October, “it will strongly suggest a cover-up and further promote maladministration.”
Khumalo said Mayor Xhakaza’s anti-corruption stance would be meaningless unless backed by decisive action.
“He must demonstrate genuine commitment to transparency and accountability rather than paying lip service to these principles,” he said.
Khumalo added that ActionSA would use every legislative avenue to compel the administration to make the findings public.
“We believe that the fight against corruption requires not only clarity but above all fearless determination,” he said.
Responding to the allegations, the mayor’s acting spokesperson, Ramatolo Tlotleng, said the City of Ekurhuleni operates in line with the standing orders by law (2023), which outline procedures for tabling matters before council.
“Only elected councillors, council committees, or the executive, acting through the speaker and programming committee, may submit or request the tabling of official reports,” Tlotleng explained.
He added that political leaders should familiarise themselves with these procedures rather than seeking political attention through the media.
“In line with section 75(1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act and the municipal supply chain management regulations, all awarded tender reports and bid information are published on the city’s official website for the public to see as well,” Tlotleng said.
