The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in the North West has accused the City of Matlosana Local Municipality executive mayor Fikile Mahlophe of not cooperating with the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) in relation to the halted supply and transportation of paraffin to indigent households in the rural and unelectrified areas of the municipality.
Mahlophe is accused of “blue-ticking” the commission even after they have tried to secure a meeting with him.
“According to the SAHRC, Mahlophe did not bother to respond to the allegations and/or correspondence addressed to him, and further disregarded the additional efforts by the commission to secure engagements within the stipulated timeframes.
“The flagrant disregard and gross remiss of the SAHRC (Chapter 9 Institution) is tantamount to trampling on the social fabric espoused in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa and turning the municipality into a predatory state.”
The EFF spokesperson and member of the North West Provincial Legislature, Fanon Moema indicated that they want Mahlophe to be charged with contempt if he fails to appear before the SAHRC on Monday, 12 January 2026.
Moema alleged that the supply of paraffin to indigent households by the municipality was halted when Mahlophe was elected to be the mayor in 2024.
“It follows inevitably, therefore, that the quality of life amongst indigent residents of Matlosana has not improved since Mahlophe took over the reigns as a Mayor. It clearly appears that the Mayor has neglected his task to allocate scarce resources to the common good of all the people.
“As a result, better life in Matlosana is exclusively enjoyed by Mahlophe, his family and his staunch political allies. Quite evidently, the ANC-led government is perpetually misleading our people with their claim that they are committed to accelerating service delivery,” said Moema.
The Auditor General (AG) of South Africa has established significant financial misconduct involving paraffin services within the Matlosana Local Municipality, North West Province.
The key findings raised by the AG and related reports include double payments, lack of proper procedure and maladministration by the municipality. A specific instance was uncovered where a paraffin service provider was paid R6.2 million twice using the same order number, resulting in a direct financial loss to the municipality.
The AG’s investigation indicated a failure to follow proper supply chain management (SCM) procedures. Payments were made to companies without valid contracts and without adequate oversight.
Asked if they are trying to protect municipal officials on the allegations of double payments for the paraffin tender that was reportedly intended to supply and deliver paraffin for indigent communities as an alternative energy source, Moema said the office of the mayor holds significant executive authority and leadership responsibility. Their office often sets the strategic direction and oversees the administration.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) Councillor Johannes le Grange has previously said the DA would take the issue to the Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa.
Le Grange said the ANC in the council tried unsuccessfully to get the forensic report rejected as a cover-up.
“The DA will not allow this corruption to continue; it will ensure that those responsible are held accountable. The people of Matlosana deserve a municipality that works for them, not for the corrupt,” Le Grange said.
City Report tried to get a comment from the office of the executive mayor by sending questions to the mayoral spokesperson Nick Mapheelle and Mahlophe, but the attempt was unsuccessful, as our journalists are still waiting for the response.
