EFF Slams Tswelopele Municipality Over Alleged Nepotism, Irregular Hiring, and Suspensions in Explosive Claims
By Thabo Mosia
By Thabo Mosia– In a scathing attack on governance in the Free State, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has accused Tswelopele Local Municipality of deep-rooted corruption, nepotism, and improper appointments. EFF Free State Provincial Secretary Bosanku Msimanga fired off a media statement highlighting issues tied to the municipality’s 2023-2024 audit, the hiring of Supply Chain Management (SCM) Manager Kennedy Lebitsa, and questions around Mayor Kenalemang Phukuntsi’s links to a security head. The party also posed tough questions on the suspensions of the Municipal Manager and Chief Financial Officer (CFO), but claims these were ignored by the mayor. This comes amid ongoing concerns about financial mismanagement in the small Lejweleputswa District municipality, which serves around 50,000 residents in towns like Bultfontein and Hoopstad. With audits showing repeated SCM flaws, the allegations raise fears of wasted public funds and poor service delivery in a municipality already battling high unemployment and basic infrastructure woes.
Audit Findings Spark SCM Overhaul and Hiring Controversy
The trouble kicked off after the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA) wrapped up its 2023-2024 audit in November 2024, giving Tswelopele an unqualified opinion but flagging material issues in supply chain management. According to Msimanga, the audit committee chair presented a draft report highlighting these gaps. On the same day, 27 November 2024, a council meeting approved changes to the organogram, splitting the SCM and Expenditure Manager role to create a new Expenditure Manager post. The current holder moved to the new spot, leaving SCM vacant. The reason? To bring in fresh help to fix the audit problems.
By 15 January 2025, the municipality advertised the SCM Manager job on its website, closing on 7 February 2025. Key requirements included 5-8 years of SCM experience in local government, matching municipal staff regulations for professional standards. SCM rules also demand at least five years as a practitioner in that setting.
But things turned murky when AGSA’s Kennedy Lebitsa tabled the final audit report on 28 January 2025, raising SCM red flags—then handed in his CV right after. Msimanga claims Lebitsa got shortlisted and interviewed, despite lacking the needed experience, as noted in the interview report. The EFF complained to AGSA, leading to a virtual meeting where the body promised a probe.
AGSA’s feedback on 15 July 2025 confirmed Lebitsa faced internal discipline for breaking procedures, earning a written warning. Yet, he started as SCM Manager on 1 July 2025. Msimanga calls this “problematic,” linking it to past audits like 2018-2019, where unqualified SCM heads caused R59 million in irregular spending via a flawed bid committee. Now, Tswelopele reportedly borrows SCM managers from other spots for bids, questioning the audit’s credibility since Lebitsa helped shape it while eyeing the job.
New details from municipal records show Tswelopele has battled SCM issues for years. The 2022-2023 audit also noted compliance gaps, and the latest consolidated AGSA report on local governments flags ongoing risks in Free State municipalities, including irregular tenders and weak oversight.
Nepotism Claims Target Mayor Phukuntsi and Security Head
The EFF’s questions drill into alleged nepotism involving Mayor Cllr Kenalemang Phukuntsi and newly appointed Head of Security Terence Edwin Gubanxa. They ask: What is their relationship? Do they share an address, as Gubanxa allegedly claimed in his application? If false, what action did the mayor take? If true, it smells of favouritism.
The party also wants clarity on Gubanxa’s role—is it acting in the mayor’s or political office?—and his salary slips from May to October 2025. These claims add to broader scrutiny of Phukuntsi. In August 2025, the Democratic Alliance (DA) exposed him for illegally occupying provincial government property, accusing him of misusing state assets while ignoring community needs like water shortages and potholes. The DA filed a PAIA request for details, vowing to push for accountability.
Tswelopele’s small size makes such ties stand out, with locals often complaining of “jobs for pals” in a place where youth unemployment tops 50%. If proven, this could breach municipal codes on fair hiring and spark ethics probes.
Irregular SCM Hiring: Questions on Fairness and Process
On Lebitsa’s appointment, the EFF demands proof no qualified candidates were overlooked. They want the full interview panel report, listing all applicants and outcomes. Also, details on Lebitsa’s SCM experience in local government, as required.
They seek written statements from the Head of HR, HR Manager, and HR Officer confirming no meddling in shortlisting or assessments. Plus, a report from the suspended Municipal Manager on why the SCM post was not filled before his ousting.
These point to fears of rigged processes, especially since the job opened right after Lebitsa’s audit role. Municipal staff rules aim to professionalise government, but the EFF says this hire flouts them, risking more irregular spending.
Suspensions of Top Officials: Calls for Transparency
The EFF also questions the suspensions of the Municipal Manager and CFO, linked to alleged procurement messes. They want the independent investigator’s report and the Municipal Financial Disciplinary Board’s findings.
How much did the probe cost? Provide invoices and payments. Was a criminal case opened for a R2.7 million pre-payment to JN Water Works, where R1 million became fruitless expenditure? What steps to recover funds from the irregular appointment of Puruma Sebata?
These tie into wider Free State issues, where audits show many municipalities rack up irregular spends. In Tswelopele, past reports note weak financial controls, leading to debts and service delays.
Mayor’s Silence and Broader Implications
Central News sent these questions to Mayor Phukuntsi, but got no reply, fuelling claims of dodging accountability. Msimanga’s statement warns this erodes trust in audits and governance, especially when AGSA staff jump to audited entities.
Tswelopele, a Grade 2 municipality, has improved audits—from adverse in past years to unqualified—but findings persist. The 2023-2024 draft annual report admits SCM weaknesses, with plans for fixes. Yet, with EFF pushing, this could trigger provincial intervention or Hawks probes.
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