The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Msukaligwa has called for the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate what it describes as the municipality’s ongoing rental crisis involving a property owned by a prominent businessman.
In a press statement issued by DA Councillor JJ Scholtz, the party raised concerns over allegations that municipal officials had previously sold a piece of land considered important to the town’s water supply, as it reportedly contains a reservoir that supplies water to the area.
According to the DA, the municipality has allegedly failed over several years to meet its monthly rental obligations to the businessman, resulting in repeated court battles as the property owner attempted to recover money allegedly owed by the municipality.
The party further alleged that the municipality failed to properly defend itself in court, failed to obtain adequate legal advice and failed to protect public funds. According to the statement, this resulted in a court authorising municipal assets valued at approximately R247 million to be sold in order to service the debt.
Scholtz said the situation could leave taxpayers facing the possibility of municipal assets being attached, while residents continue to struggle with service delivery challenges, including water interruptions, deteriorating roads, electricity failures and financial instability.
The DA described the matter as a serious example of municipal negligence and possible abuse of public resources, saying it had repeatedly warned that poor governance, political interference and financial mismanagement were contributing to the decline of municipalities.
The party said it would continue pushing for accountability from officials and political office bearers who, according to the DA, failed to protect public funds.
The DA said the people of Msukaligwa deserved answers and a municipality that serves residents rather than politically connected interests.