AfriForum demands provisional suspension of Ngwathe’s Municipal Manager amid fraud allegations
AfriForum is once again acting in the interests of the residents of the Ngwathe Local Municipality this week by demanding the provisional suspension of Futhuli Patrick Mothamaha, Municipal Manager of this Municipality. This follows Mothamaha’s recent arrest and charges of fraud, theft, money laundering and contravening of the Municipal Finance Management Act. A total of R1,9 million allegedly disappeared from the Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality’s budget in 2021 while Mothamaha was employed as Municipal Manager at the Municipality.
Mothamaha and the Director of Lesedi Khanya Energy, Lelokonyane Isak Letseng, were arrested on 18 November after it emerged that money earmarked for the installation of transformers was allegedly paid to Lesedi Khanya Energy without any transformers being delivered or installed. An invoice for the full amount was allegedly submitted by Letseng and approved for payment by Mothamaha. The Hawks are currently investigating the involvement of these two individuals. Both have already appeared in the Bethlehem Magistrate’s Court, where they were each released on R10 000 bail. The case has been postponed to 22 January 2026.
“It is worrying that appointments are being made without considering the candidates’ background and competence. This makes one question the competence of the existing Ngwathe officials,” says Schalk Burger, Chairperson of AfriForum’s Parys branch.
In a letter, AfriForum reminded the Municipality that the Municipal Systems Act and Regulations for Senior Managers place clear and binding obligations on municipalities when a senior manager is implicated in serious financial misconduct or criminal offences. These requirements are not optional and may not be postponed, therefore AfriForum demands that Mothamaha be provisionally suspended pending the outcome of the case.
“The Ngwathe Municipality cannot afford to have a Municipal Manager facing serious fraud charges – regardless of where the alleged fraud occurred. A provisional suspension does not imply guilt but rather is a precautionary measure that is in the publics’ interest, as prescribed by law,” says Alta Pretorius, AfriForum’s District Coordinator for the Mooi River.
“The nature of the charges, the extent of the financial loss and the level of public trust in a municipal manager, make it unjustifiable for the Ngwathe Municipality to proceed as if this criminal charge has no impact on its administration.”
AfriForum urges the Municipal Council and the Provincial Department of Local Government to urgently provide feedback on the possibility of Mothamaha’s provisional suspension; communicate the justification if this legal requirement (provisional suspension) has been deviated from; and what disciplinary steps the council intends to take, including timelines.
AfriForum will monitor this matter closely to ensure accountability. If the Municipality does not provide feedback promptly, AfriForum reserves the right to consider further steps.
AfriForum calls on the community to remain involved, report injustice and work together to hold local government accountable. Contact Burger on 082 653 4281 to get involved with AfriForum’s Parys branch.
