COGTA defies order to pay over Rgm

THE Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) is under fire for defying a court order to pay over R9 million to the Insika Foundation, one of its former implementing agents in the Community Work Programme (CWP).

- SIFISO MAHLANGU

Legal experts now say that key department leaders - including Minister V.K. Hlabisa, Director-General Mbulelo Ntshangama, Deputy Director-General Pankie Matomela, and CWP Finance Authority Mawande Skenjana are complicit in contempt of court.

Despite a binding High Court ruling and a failed appeal attempt, the Department has refused to pay the money owed, effectively collapsing the Insika Foundation and severely disrupting a programme that supports thousands of vulnerable South Africans.

Insika Foundation approached the Gauteng Division of the High Court in 2024, seeking a 'mandamus' - a court order compelling COGTA to pay R9 291 633.42 for services delivered in April 2024. The Court granted the order on 12 July 2024. COGTA then tried to appeal but was dismissed with costs on 5 November 2024.

The Court's ruling was clear: the Department must pay Insika with interest and attorney-client scale legal fees. Yet, the Department, led by DG Mbulelo Ntshangama, has refused to comply. Despite follow-ups and official correspondence to the Minister and his team, Insika has received no payment and no communication.