The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng demands that the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Mzi Khumalo, launch an urgent investigation into the missing mayoral chain belonging to the Executive Mayor of Sedibeng District Municipality, Cllr Lerato Maloka.
According to an affidavit seen by the DA, the chain valued at R465 000, mysteriously disappeared after the State of the District Address on 23 June 2023, but a case of theft was not opened until 12 November 2023.
It raises suspicions as to why the matter was not immediately reported to the police given the apparent gravity of the situation. It also raises questions about the Sedibeng Council’s ability to safeguard its assets.
It is strange that Mayor Maloka is at the centre of the missing mayoral chain case, since she is also embroiled in another shocking case of a foreign substance found in the engine of the vehicle assigned to her by Sedibeng District Municipality.
The DA demands that MEC Khumalo conduct a thorough investigation into the two cases and ensure that those implicated in criminal or negligent behaviour are held responsible for their actions.
We will also table questions to MEC Khumalo in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to ascertain why an internal investigation was not conducted and why the municipality’s administration delayed opening a case with the police to investigate the incident of a missing mayoral chain.
Mishandling and mismanagement of state resources should not be tolerated, and municipalities should ensure that all public assets are safeguarded and managed with care. In the event of theft or asset damage, municipalities should be transparent and inform the public. This will increase public trust and ensure that those responsible are held to account.