By Doreen Mokgolo
- The R175 000 fraud case involves fake contracts and suspicious payments between August and October 2024.
- Speaker Tshivhenga’s secretary implicated her boss, claiming she received expensive clothes purchased with stolen funds.
The Ekurhuleni council has created an ad hoc committee to investigate speaker Nthabiseng Tshivhenga, who faces serious allegations of fraud and corruption.
The council reconvened on Tuesday to discuss the matter after the February sitting collapsed when they were supposed to finish.
ANC chief whip Pelisa Nkunjana will chair the committee, which must report its findings within three months.
The investigation comes from the arrest of Tshivhenga’s secretary, Salome Lekalakala, who allegedly defrauded the municipality of R175,000 between August and October 2024.
According to reports, Lekalakala convinced service provider Jonas Moabelo of Reasibe Enterprises to pay money into her personal account by falsely promising him municipal contracts.
She created fake confirmation letters claiming his company would provide various services and sent invoices totalling R825,359 for work never performed.
When arrested, Lekalakala involved Tshivhenga, claiming the speaker benefited from the fraud through expensive clothing purchases.
A report by the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department submitted to council found that Tshivhenga “unduly benefited” from corrupt activities in her office.
DA caucus leader Lucky Dinake said these allegations require thorough investigation by law enforcement.
“As a member of this committee, we will work within the legislative framework that guides this process to ensure Tshivhenga’s matter is given due diligence,” he said.
Nkunjana recognised the seriousness of the allegations, saying they could damage public trust in the council.
“Council cannot afford to ignore or brush aside these allegations as if they are minor,” she said. “If wrongdoing is found, action must be taken without fear or favour and equally if they are baseless those unjustly accused must have their names cleared.”
Both Tshivhenga and mayor Nkosidiphile Xhakaza now face motions of no confidence submitted by the Independent Citizens Movement, ACDP and DA.
Pictured above: Nthabiseng Tshivhenga.
Image source: Nthabiseng Tshivhenga Facebook page
