According to internal sources in the City of Matlosana Local Municipality the corruption-accused Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the municipality, Mercy Phetla, was expected to be removed by the municipal council on Thursday, 22 January 2026.
The council was meant to convene to consider a disciplinary report against Phetla.
Speaking on the basis of anonymity: “Some comrades who are facing serious allegations were already celebrating and planning to create a certain narrative about the municipality.”
With the presence of the South African Police Service (SAPS) and private security, a special meeting convened at the Klerksdorp Recereation Centre to process the disciplinary report which recommended Phetla’s immediate dismissal.
Following the council delays and debates about the report, the Council Speaker Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya announced her decision to indefinitely postpone the meeting following a directive from the Presiding Officer of the disciplinary inquiry, Advocate S. Sethene.
In her formal communication with the councillors, Mondlane-Ngwenya indicated that she has been advised to not sanction a council meeting relating to the report.
“Consistent with the consultation we had with Council secretariat, the Speaker and Director CORS with the presiding officer on the DC case of the CFO; following the adjournment of council, the presiding officer has indicated that he is not in a position to table the report before council at any point as council and the Speaker have no role to play on the matter at this stage.
“I have therefore been formally advised to not sanction a council meeting pertaining this matter as per the indication received from the Presiding officer dealing with the case,” said Mondlane-Ngwenya.
Democratic Alliance (DA)
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Caucus Leader, Gerhard Strydom accused the ANC councillors, including the Single Whip of Council Rose Thabanchu, and Mondlane-Ngwenya, of trying to shield Phetla.
“A faction within the ANC attempted to shield the CFO from accountability. Led by the Single Whip of Council, Cllr Rose Thabanchu, and the Speaker, Cllr Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya, this group argued that Council had not approved certain charges, conveniently echoing the same arguments raised by the CFO herself.
“This claim is legally irrelevant and amounted to an attempt to turn Council into an unlawful appeal body. They further demanded that the Presiding Officer appear before Council to explain the outcome. The DA made it clear during the meeting that Council has no role in disciplinary adjudication and cannot override a lawful process,” said Strydom.
Criticism on questionable procedure
Disciplinary action against a CFO —who is classified as a senior manager—in a South African municipality is governed by a combination of the Municipal Systems Act (MSA), the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers (2010), and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), particularly regarding financial misconduct.
City Report learnt that some of the requirements for disciplinary action against Phetla were allegedly not followed. Part of adhering to regulations, the hearing is expected to follow the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers.
The disciplinary hearing must commence within three months of the council’s resolution to institute action, and on a date between 7 and 10 days after the charge sheet is served.
The council appoints a presiding officer to conduct the hearing and ensure natural justice is followed.
It is alleged that the municipal council did not grant the MM and/or the Mayor to institute disciplinary hearing against Phetla. In addition to this, Council did not authorise the MM to appoint the initiator and the Chairperson to conduct the disciplinary hearing in this regard.
Mondlane-Ngwenya called the Presiding Officer to compel him to report to Council, but that attempt was unsuccessful.
The Municipal Manager Lesego Seametso left during the council meeting to attend to other matters – councillors could not get answers in relation to some of the questions that they wanted to ask her directly.
This is a developing story and will be updated in the event of receiving response from other parties and political parties.
