Emfuleni Municipality MMC accused of ‘Jobs-for-Pals’ in water services entity

EMFULENI Municipality is facing fresh scrutiny after MMC for Public Works, Cllr Tumi Mochawe, allegedly promised positions in the newly established Water and Sanitation Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to political allies.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

In widely circulated voice note recordings, Mochawe can be heard speaking with another individual, named “Tso; discussing how the World Bank had awarded them the internationally recognised “Utility of the Future” certificate. He reportedly said he was compiling a list of names to be sent via email, and in envelopes, adding that “Emfuleni is full of crooks”

The pair allegedly continued discussing the distribution of positions to political allies, with ‘Tso’ asking for the list to be delivered to his office. They named several of their allies who were allegedly already on the list.

This is not the first time Mochawe has been at the centre of controversy. In August 2024, residents of Emfuleni Zone 3 took to the streets, accusing him of not taking care of their needs amid persistent service delivery failures.

Residents complained of prolonged power outages, raw sewage flowing through their streets, and employment opportunities being handed to outsiders instead of residents when municipal projects came to the area.