Law enforcement officials from the South African Police Service (SAPS) Special Task Force raided the offices of the Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality this week, effectively shutting down all operations as the premises were sealed off for a detailed search.
According to reports by the SABC, workers outside the municipal offices in Mahikeng were left stranded as police officers arrived and immediately closed the gates. “The group came in and closed the building, and started searching it,” said one employee who spoke anonymously. Staff who were already inside the building were not allowed to leave, while those outside were prevented from entering.
Municipal Mayor Khumalo Molefe told IOL that he was in Gauteng at the time of the raid and could not comment on the matter. Municipal Manager Allan Losaba did not respond to repeated requests for comment.
The raid follows months of controversy and governance failures at the troubled municipality. In November last year, the Sunday Independent revealed an internal Department of Water and Sanitation report detailing widespread interference in supply chain management processes.
The report found that R87 million in funding for 12 critical water intervention projects had been suspended due to irregularities. It further accused Mayor Molefe of making “unfunded commitments” and highlighted that the Chief Financial Officer ignored input from the Water Services Unit, forcing the Municipal Manager to proceed without proper financial oversight.
“That is why most purchase orders were not issued due to emotions flying high rather than following sound governance principles,” the report stated.
Earlier this year, the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) found that the municipality had violated residents’ constitutional rights by denying them access to clean water and sanitation, effectively depriving them of their dignity.
The finding followed a complaint filed by resident Tumelo Phinda, DA Member of the Provincial Legislature Carin Visser, and community activist Floggies Lucas.
The SAPS has not yet issued a formal statement regarding the reason for the raid or whether any arrests were made, but sources within law enforcement suggest it forms part of an ongoing corruption and maladministration probe into the municipality’s finances and project spending.
