THE SHAME OF LEPELLE NKUMPI: A MUNICIPALITY IN CHAOS, A MAYOR IN SHADOWS

Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality Mayor Dr Merriam Molala, who also serves as the ANC Peter Mokaba Region Treasurer. has brazenly refused to respond to allegations of administrative shenanigans, financial mismanagement, and corruption, despite repeated pleas from The Azanian for clarity.

By Mpho Dube, Editor-in-Chief, The Azanian

Truth. Fearless. Unfiltered.

In the heart of South Africa, a crisis of epic proportions has engulfed the Lepelle Nkumpi Local Municipality at Lebowakgomo in Limpopo, leaving a trail of destruction, despair, and desperation in its wake.

At the helm of this catastrophe is Mayor Dr Merriam Molala, who also serves as the ANC Peter Mokaba Region Treasurer, and has brazenly refused to respond to allegations of administrative shenanigans, financial mismanagement, and corruption, despite repeated pleas from The Azanian for clarity.

For 24 agonizing days, from March 6th to March 30th, 2026, The Azanian's questions have gone unanswered, unacknowledged, and unaddressed.

The silence is deafening, a stark reminder of the municipality's utter disregard for transparency, accountability, and the people it serves.

It's a silence that's been shattered by the sound of broken dreams, shattered hopes, and a community left to pick up the pieces of a municipality in freefall.

The questions posed to Mayor Molala and her administration paint a damning picture of a municipality in chaos. Allegations of councillors being influenced to approve policies that protect the mayor's interests, employees being marginalized and unfairly treated, and a culture of fear and intimidation that has become the norm.

The Employee Transfer Policy, allegedly approved without thorough review, has raised concerns about the municipality's commitment to fairness and transparency. It's a policy that's been used as a tool of oppression, a means of silencing dissent and maintaining a stranglehold on power.

The Auditor-General's investigation into alleged tampering with the audit opinion has only added fuel to the fire, revealing a staggering R43.5m irregular expenditure that has left the municipality's finances in tatters.

Acting municipal manager Minky Chauke and Mayor Molala have blamed the audit team for the irregular expenditure, suspending senior audit officials Rampuru Setati and Maloma Isaya, sparking concerns about victimization and a cover-up. It's a blame game that's been played out in the corridors of power, with the people of Lepelle Nkumpi left to foot the bill.

The people of Lepelle Nkumpi are crying out for justice, for answers, and for accountability. They're tired of living in a municipality that's been hijacked by individuals who care little for their welfare, their dignity, or their future.

They're demanding to know why the Smart City project, touted as a flagship development, has been marred by questions about secured land and funding. They're demanding to know why the municipality's infrastructure, including the cultural center, roads, water, and sanitation, lies in disrepair.

They're demanding to know why there are no sports facilities in the township, and why the municipality's leadership style has been described as "unorthodox", with allegations of the mayor being "untouchable".

Instead of addressing the questions, The Azanian was subjected to side shows of intimidation and attempts to undermine media freedom.

The Azanian is willing to give the municipality the benefit of the doubt and hopes that there will be proper meetings to address this matter. However, should the Azanian be pushed, it will not hesitate to reveal everything and expose the attempts to silence it.

The ANC, which deployed Mayor Molala to lead the municipality, must take responsibility for this crisis. It's time for the party to choose between protecting its member and upholding the principles of transparency and accountability. The people of Lepelle Nkumpi deserve better, and it's time for the ANC to deliver.

The Azanian will not be silenced. We will continue to shine a light on this crisis, to hold those responsible accountable, and to demand justice for the people of Lepelle Nkumpi.

We urge the President, the ANC, and the people of South Africa to take notice of this crisis, and to demand action. The shame of Lepelle Nkumpi must not be allowed to continue. It is time for change.