Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning.
In the light of the recent media report published on 21 November 2025 alleging that the Executive Mayor of Kannaland attempted to extort money from a local businessman; this in addition to his existing criminal conviction and the municipality’s repeated governance failures as outlined in the Auditor-General’s findings and the mandatory Financial Recovery Plan:
- Whether his Department has been formally notified of these new allegations; if so, what steps have been taken in response;
- whether his Department will investigate the allegations in terms of section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 2000 (Act 32 of 2000); if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details;
- whether his Department has assessed the impact of these allegations on the implementation of the mandatory Financial Recovery Plan for the Kannaland Municipality; if so, what were the findings;
- whether his Department is of the opinion that the continued tenure of the Executive Mayor is compatible with the requirements of the Financial Recovery Plan and the need to restore stable, ethical leadership in Kannaland; if not, what action will be taken;
- whether his Department has engaged with the National Treasury, the Provincial Treasury or the Municipal Financial Recovery Services Unit regarding the potential risks posed by these allegations for ongoing intervention efforts; if so, what was the outcome?
The Provincial Minister responsible for Local Government, Environmental Affairs and Development Planning (“the Provincial Minister”) is aware of the allegations circulating on social media relating to staff being required to pay undisclosed amounts, but not of any allegations involving a local businessman. The allegations concerning staff being required to pay undisclosed amounts have been referred to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (“DPCI”) for their consideration. To date, no witness has approached the Office of the Provincial Minister with evidence to substantiate these claims.
5 (2)
No investigation has been conducted in terms of section 106 of the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act, 32 of 2000 (“the Systems Act”), read with section 7 of the Western Cape Monitoring and Support of Municipalities Act, 4 of 2014 (“the Western Cape Act”). However, due to the seriousness of the allegations received at the Municipality by my office, the Western Cape Premier, Mr Alan Winde, referred the matter to the Special Investigating Unit (“SIU”) through the Office of the President on 28 December 2021. The Minister responsible for the Department of Justice and Correctional Services, as well as the Head of SIU, were copied in the referral letter. To date no investigation has commenced at the Municipality.
5 (3)
The Financial Recovery Plan (“FRP”) was prepared by National Treasury in line with the requirements of Chapter 13 of the Municipal Finance Management Act56 of 2003 (“MFMA”). The FRP was finalised and submitted to the Provincial Treasury in August 2025. This was prior to the allegation referred to in this question being known.
5 (4)
The purpose of the FRP is not to make any judgements about individual office holders. The FRP imposes measures to ensure improvements to the governance, systems and procedures of the municipality.
5 (5)
Not with respect to these specific allegations. However, the Department of Local Government works closely with the Provincial Treasury on the implementation of the FRP.
