Pavement upgrade embroiled in nepotism scandal claims

AN ORDINARY pavement upgrade at Evaton’s Levai Mbata Clinic has exploded into a tender scandal: the opposition party alleges lucrative work and site posts were steered to politically connected insiders, some with family ties to ANC figures in Emfuleni.

- MASABATA MKWANANZI

This comes after the DA called on Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko to immediately terminate what it described as a “fishy tender” and to take firm action against all individuals who may have benefited improperly.

According to DA Emfuleni North Constituency Head Kingsol Chabalala, Evaton residents have been shut out of job opportunities in the Levai Mbata Clinic pavement project, which he says has been tainted by nepotism, cronyism, and possible corruption involving the appointed service provider.

Chabalala added that the appointed subcontractor is owned by Sipho Newadi, the ANC Branch Secretary in Emfuleni, who is also serving as the Community Liaison Officer (CLO) for the project.

“Some employees involved in the project have family ties or close relationships with ANC officials in Emfuleni. They include Bushy Masangane, who is the husband of the Emfuleni Speaker Sibongile Soxuza, and Katlheho Masangane, the Safety Officer (SO) and son of the Emfuleni Speaker”

In a written reply to Chabalala in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL), Nkomo-Ralehoko stated that Newadi was both the CLO and a director of the subcontractor, Lethole Trading.

Chabalala argued that the Levai Mbata case reflects a classic pattern of nepotism and cronyism, problems the DA has long warned are driving Emfuleni’s decline.