Claims of ‘milking’ municipal funds fuel Valspan protest march

THE VALSPAN Communal Interest Group embarked on a peaceful march to call for an end to alleged ghost and bogus projects that are being used to “milk” the finances of Phokwane Municipality.

It was alleged that there was a “web of maladministration” where funds were diverted and officials were awarding tenders to their associates in order to enrich themselves.

March convener Elliot Sebuzo said a failed R200,000 toilet project at the Jan Kempdorp graveyard produced a half-built structure without any ablution facilities.

“A well-known contractor from Pampierstad, who was awarded a R1.7 million tender to upgrade the sewage plant in Felu, in Jan Kempdorp, was paid to remove sewage blockages. Equipment and resources needed to do the job were apparently supplied by Phokwane Municipality,” Sebuzo said.

He believed the Ganspan bulk water pump that was supposed to be refurbished was fitted with an old pipeline.

“The community has been struggling with a consistent water supply since November 2025. Cwaile Street in Valspan location, which is supposed to be a main access road to the primary school and commuters, is still a gravel road and has fallen into disrepair after a dispute arose during a tender process.”

The memorandum pointed to a R500,000 gratification that was allegedly paid to a senior official. It urged that steps should be taken against a director whom they believed was responsible for a number of their grievances at the municipality.

Sebuzo said there were unauthorised deviations on capital infrastructure and technical projects in Pampierstad, Ganspan, Hartswater and Jan Kempdorp.

“No action was taken to prevent irregular, wasteful and fruitless expenditure. Impoverished residents from Jan Kempdorp, Andalusia Park, Guldenskat and Valspan had their electricity cut. Residents only received 50 percent of the value of the electricity tokens purchased,” he said.

He added that Guldenskat communities were being billed for non-existent services and complained that the communal JoJo tank was not maintained, with mosquitoes breeding in stagnant water pools.

FF+ believes allegations are serious

FF+ Member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature and chairperson of the standing committee on Co-operative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Theo Joubert, who received the memorandum, indicated that it contained serious allegations relating to money wasted on non-existent infrastructure, bribery, flouting of procurement processes and the collapse of the asset register.

He found it concerning that both the Office of the Premier and the MEC for Coghsta did not react to the invitation to accept the memorandum.

Joubert said the grievances would be handed over to the relevant authorities, properly investigated, and that he was committed to exposing corruption and maladministration.

‘No senior official will be investigated’

Phokwane municipal manager Zithulele Nikani insisted that there would be no investigation against any director.

“The claims are misleading and cause reputational harm. They create unnecessary confusion within the community and amount to defamatory assertions,” Nikani said.

He said that, along with the mayor, he had accepted and responded to the memorandum on January 22.

Sewage plant at Felu  

Phokwane mayor Willem Harmse denied that any municipal equipment or machinery was provided to a contractor to unblock sewage pipes at the wastewater treatment works in Jan Kempdorp.

“The municipality has a detailed report of work carried out at the sewage treatment works to mitigate contamination of the Harts River. A thorough supply chain management process was followed, with the bid being awarded to the lowest quote. The spillage from the wastewater treatment works was also affecting the crops on the adjacent farms. Reports were submitted to the Green Scorpions and the Department of Water and Sanitation,” he said.

Graveyard toilets and Ganspan bulk water pump

Harmse said no costs were incurred in the toilet project at the Jan Kempdorp graveyard.

“An individual attempted to construct a structure. However, the municipality promptly intervened and halted the process.”

He added that two pumps that failed during the festive season in Ganspan were repaired.

“New motors were installed to restore water to the Ganspan community. The allegations that the pumps were fitted with old parts are not true.”

Cwaile Street in Valspan 

Harmse said the municipality was currently attending to Cwaile Street through operational maintenance and was in the process of sourcing funds to address the rehabilitation of all roads within the Phokwane municipal area.

He encouraged anyone with evidence of bribery to report it to the relevant authorities.

“All senior managers of the municipality vehemently deny these allegations. To date, the municipality has not received any communication from the Special Investigating Unit regarding any investigation.”

Unsanctioned project deviations

Harmse said all procurement policies were adhered to by the municipality.

“No senior manager is able to appoint service providers. Deviations are allowed in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The municipality has received value for money from all services rendered through deviations.”

Electricity issues 

He added that customers were obliged to settle their accounts and that there were consequences in the event of non-payment.

“The municipality is unable to provide services free of charge. Provision is made for indigent subsidies and payment arrangements.”

He explained that indigent households that were unable to enter into a payment arrangement were allowed to buy electricity, with 50 percent of the purchase used to offset their debts.

Harmse said electricity bills were levied according to the services provided in each area.

“Guldenskat residents have only been billed for electricity since 2023. No other services are billed, notwithstanding that the municipality has made provision for water and refuse collection in the area.

“Valspan customers are billed for water, property rates, sewage and refuse removal, while residents in Andalusia Park and Ganspan are billed for the full range of services.”

Harmse indicated that the municipality was installing a communal tap in the area.

“While we wait for funding for water reticulation in the area, the municipality will continue to provide water to the community,” he added.

Coghsta and the Premier’s Office did not respond to media enquiries.