Matlosana graft probe

Officials being probed for corruption involving millions.

- Eric Mthobeli Naki

Several officials at the Matlosana local municipality in Klerksdorp in North West, including the chief financial officer (CFO), are being investigated for possible corruption and fraud after contractors were given millions of rands in unexplained overpayments.

An independent forensic audit that investigated possible irregularities in the R292 million paid to the municipality's top 30 suppliers found that several firms needed further probing.

The municipality's CFO, Mercy Phetla, allegedly neglected to guard against financial mismanagement by allowing officials to make irregular and duplicate payments to service providers without approval from senior management.

The issue could also implicate municipal manager Lesego Seametso because, although he initiated the probe by taking the matter to council, the buck stops with him as accounting officer.