The Provincial Government in Mpumalanga has intensified measures to address financial challenges and labour unrests which emerged at the Nkomazi Local Municipality, situated in the eastern part of the province. The Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (CoGHSTA) has recently seconded Mr. Oscar Nkosi as an Acting Municipal Manager to the institution with effect from 1st June 2025, among these measures.
Mr. Nkosi has a wealth of experience in Local Government, and has been seconded in terms of Section 154 and 155(6) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa. His credentials include a stint as Municipal Manager at Emakhazeni and Thembisile Hani Local Municipalities. His appointment is one of the intervention measures of providing administrative support to the Municipality. In line with his duties, Mr. Nkosi is expected to address poor governance and financial mismanagement affecting the institution which prompted labour unrests.
The administrative support includes the deployment of a task team consisting of senior officials from various departments with expertise in financial management and Local Government, to assist the municipality. A Section 106(1) (b) investigation, conducted in terms of the Local Government Municipal Systems Act, 2000, has been instituted. The investigation is based on a resolution of the Provincial Executive Council, adopted on 21st May 2025. The investigation seeks to determine the allegations of maladministration, fraud, corruption or any other serious malpractices within the Municipality. Furthermore, the scope include but not limited to, allegations of financial mismanagement, apparent inept governance and enhanced service delivery.
CoGHSTA MEC, Mr. Speed Mashilo says the investigation is in line with the apex priorities of the 7th administration, especially priority 3, of building a capable, ethical and developmental state. He urged all internal and external stakeholders of the Municipality to cooperate with the investigation. Mr. Mashilo indicated that, “as a Department responsible to support and functional municipalities and uninterrupted service delivery, we have moved with speed to ensure that we bring stability at the municipality, whilst assuring the community that the delivery of services is maintained.
Constant engagements with the employees, through their unions are ongoing. “We want to assure the public that the situation is temporary and that in areas where services were interrupted, will be restored, as engagements are continuing”, explained Mr. Nkosi. Meanwhile, the payment of salaries for employees at the Mkhondo Local Municipality, has been finalised. A slight technical glitch of the bank system affected the payment process, not the non-availability of funds in the municipal coffers, as alleged initially. Salaries have since been processed and the situation will be monitored to avert a similar occurrence in the future recurrence.
ISSUED BY CoGHSTA COMMUNICATION SERVICES
CONTACT PERSON: MR FREDDY NGOBE
CONTACTS: 013766 6014 / 082 859 4630