MAMABOLO LEADS THE CLEAN-UP: MEC ORDERS END TO MILLIONS LOST ON SUSPENDED OFFICIALS

Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo showcases the “Building Smart Cities & DID Turnaround Strategy” document as he calls for municipalities to end costly, drawn-out suspensions and prioritise service delivery.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief

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JOHANNESBURG— Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo has stepped in as a consummate leader to stop municipalities from bleeding millions on suspended employees, insisting public money must return to service delivery.

The intervention follows revelations that some Gauteng municipalities spent between R8.4 million and R23 million on precautionary suspensions. At Emfuleni Local Municipality, nearly R24 million has been paid to suspended officials since 2019. One accountant is alleged to have received close to R6 million while on suspension. At least 22 municipal employees remained on suspension with pay between 2019 and 2026.

Mamabolo framed the move as governance with accountability, not punishment. He said precautionary suspensions protect the integrity of investigations, but municipalities must also protect taxpayers.

“Precautionary suspensions serve an important purpose in protecting the integrity of investigations, but municipalities also have a responsibility to ensure that these processes are administered efficiently, fairly, and with due regard for the responsible use of public resources,” Mamabolo said.

He warned that unresolved disciplinary cases drain budgets at a time when local government should be focused on infrastructure maintenance and frontline services.

Profound leader, Mamabolo has directed municipalities to rely more on internal legal teams and labour relations specialists instead of costly external lawyers for matters that can be resolved in-house.

Earlier this year he instructed the Local Government Turnaround Strategy LGTAS Governance Workstream to intervene at Emfuleni and assist in finalising the prolonged cases.

“Of particular concern is the escalating cost to the municipality in legal fees and related expenses while this matter remains unresolved. The municipality must conclude it without further delay,” he said.

The Gauteng Provincial Government said it continues working with municipalities through the Local Government Turnaround Strategy to strengthen governance and professionalise local government.

With local elections set for Wednesday 4 November 2026, Mamabolo’s directive signals a shift: discipline must be fair, fast, and fiscally responsible.

The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs will monitor progress and support municipalities to close outstanding disciplinary matters.