Multimillion-rand Sol Plaatje power saga sparks calls for probe

THE NORTHERN Cape Civics Organisation has called for a forensic investigation into wasteful and irregular expenditure at Sol Plaatje Municipality following a “suspicious” multimillion-rand tender awarded for an electrification project.

According to an agreement dated August 25, Sol Plaatje municipal manager Thapelo Matlala agreed to pay Mokgwaro Electrical Contractors CC R2.6 million, plus interest of R1.1 million dating back to 2022, as well as legal costs.

This followed an instruction from the sheriff’s office to execute a court order on July 7.

The chairperson of the Northern Cape Civics Organisation, Ross Henderson, said that Mokgwaro Electrical Contractors was initially appointed for an electricity project in Lethabo Park, near Roodepan.

“Upon completion of the work, the contractors were apparently verbally instructed by Matlala to electrify the Riemvasmaak old golf course, although they did not receive payment. This prompted them to approach the Northern Cape High Court, which subsequently ruled in their favour,” he said.

Henderson questioned whether supply chain management processes were followed when the contractor’s services were extended for the Riemvasmaak electrification project.

“If a service provider is appointed by way of a verbal contract, it is not legally binding. It is also questionable why the municipality did not oppose the court application to pay the service provider.

“Fruitless and wasteful expenditure was incurred, and steps will be taken to recover any irregular expenditure. Municipal finance management processes were flouted while no oversight was done.”

He pointed out that the Office of the State Attorney did not have the authority or capacity to investigate allegations of misconduct against the municipal manager.

“The state attorney can only offer legal advice. I will approach the national authorities to intervene, as there appears to be no movement on the criminal cases that were opened two years ago.”

Henderson also questioned whether the investigation would be transparent, citing the secrecy around the precautionary suspension of the municipal manager.

“While ratepayers’ money was used to pay service providers, the public was excluded from listening in on the reasons for the precautionary suspension as well as the appointment of the investigator. This is not very democratic, and no one should be considered above the law.”

Broken promises and missed deadlines

Residents of Lethabo Park say they have endured years of delays during the second phase of their electrification project and are still waiting to be connected to the grid after five years of “broken promises”.

Several protests erupted over the electrification of the area after 634 households were excluded in 2022. At the time, residents were told to be patient while the municipality promised to source R20 million to complete the work in the 2023/24 financial year.

In 2023, infuriated residents again blocked roads over further delays.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) in 2024 received a proclamation to investigate the R33 million allocated by Sol Plaatje Municipality in 2021/22 to electrify 1,500 households in Lerato Park and R20 million for 1,100 households in Lethabo Park.

It is believed that contractors abandoned the site due to non-payment, leaving no work being done.

To date, no outcome has been finalised by the SIU, which was tasked to investigate serious maladministration, unlawful expenditure of public money, improper or unlawful conduct by employees, or any offence under the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act relating to the Lethabo Park saga.

Sol Plaatje Municipality did not respond to media enquiries at the time of publication.