The Democratic Alliance announced plans on Thursday to file criminal charges against 10 municipal managers across South Africa, targeting officials over chronic financial mismanagement, weak controls, and collapsing basic services. DA parliamentary leader George Michalakis and Cogta spokesperson Marina van Zyl revealed the list during a media briefing, stating that the targeted executives were identified through adverse auditor-general findings and repeated failures to comply with financial accountability laws.
Municipal Finance Management Act Charges Targeted at 10 Officials
According to the DA, the legal action will proceed under section 173(1) of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). This specific provision applies when municipal managers act with gross negligence, ignore material irregularities, or supply false information to the auditor-general. Michalakis emphasized that executives overseeing failing administrations should not simply be recycled into new roles. “If you are from one of these municipalities and you do not have water, you do not have streetlights, you do not have a working sewage system, these are the faces” responsible, he said.
Van Zyl noted that these managers hold immense power to make or break a municipality, yet accountability rarely follows wrongdoing. The identified municipalities span the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Western Cape provinces. The party stated that the upcoming criminal filings represent initial steps against what it considers the country’s worst-performing local administrative heads.
Detailed Allegations Across Target Municipalities
In the Eastern Cape, the DA targeted Pumulele Maxwell Kate of Makana local municipality, citing seven consecutive disclaimer audit opinions, weak expenditure controls, and issues involving wastewater and landfill sites. Sunday’s River Valley municipal manager Thabiso Klass also faces scrutiny following seven consecutive disclaimer audits and alleged failures to provide corrective documentation. In the Free State, Masilonyana manager Majalefa Matlole was accused of decade-long disclaimer audits and failing to budget properly for indigent households despite receiving R111m in equitable-share funding, with only R31m allocated for over 16,000 households.
Additional Free State targets include Nketoana manager Moketi Solomon Nhlapo, accused of allowing unrestricted financial system access that enabled fraudulent payments while carrying an Eskom debt of R883m. Acting manager MS Mohale of Mohokare faces accusations of repeated disclaimers, financial losses, and failing to ensure senior managers disclosed financial interests. In the North West, Ditsobotla manager Olaotse Bojosinvane was cited for nine years of audit failures and under-budgeting for 39,000 indigent households despite an allocation of R115m. In the Western Cape, Kannaland manager Dillo Sereo faces tender-related allegations, including issuing contracts without quotations.
The final targets include two unnamed officials at Maluti-a-Phofung for accounting record failures, and Ngaka Modiri Molema district manager Olehile Allan Losaba, who was suspended for misconduct in 2025. Michalakis stated that Losaba was implicated in an inflated R4.6m water-tanker contract, held personally liable by the auditor-general, and linked to R27m in wasteful expenditure alongside security tender irregularities. Michalakis added that although a forensic investigation was presented to the council, ANC councillors blocked its adoption by preventing a quorum.
Did You Know? The Democratic Alliance’s targeted list includes municipalities such as Masilonyana, which the party stated has received disclaimer audit opinions for a decade.
Political Context and Accountability Mechanisms
While the announcements arrive ahead of the November local government elections, Michalakis rejected suggestions that the campaign is primarily political. He stated that the party intends to use the electoral process to reduce the African National Congress below 50 percent in struggling municipalities and position the DA to take over their administrations. The party defended its decision to name the officials publicly, arguing that residents possess a clear right to know who bears responsibility for decisions impacting access to water and electricity.
The DA confirmed that formal criminal charges will be filed over the coming weeks. The political organization intends to maintain pressure through ongoing collaboration with the auditor-general and other available accountability tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What legal framework is the DA using to file charges?
The party is pursuing charges under the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), specifically citing section 173(1) for gross negligence, ignored material irregularities, or false reporting to the auditor-general.
Which provinces are covered by the targeted list?
The list covers municipalities located in the Eastern Cape, Free State, North West, and Western Cape.
How did local politicians respond to the Ngaka Modiri Molema investigation?
According to the DA, ANC councillors blocked the adoption of a forensic investigation report into municipal manager Olehile Allan Losaba by preventing a quorum.
How will these planned criminal filings alter the governance landscape in South Africa’s struggling local municipalities?