“Swift actions are going to be taken where required.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Kokstad Sub-region has demanded urgent action from the leadership of the Greater Kokstad Municipality (GKM), citing allegations of corruption and on-going service delivery failures.
EFF sub-regional chairperson Zukisani Tshangase said party members marched to the GKM offices on 26 February 2026 to submit a memorandum of demands. Among the key issues raised is the alleged involvement of the Special Programs Unit Manager in tender irregularities. According to Tshangase, the manager allegedly awarded tenders in June last year to companies linked to his wife and another individual who resides on his property. He claims the companies bid for contracts within the same department where the manager works, without proper declaration to the municipality.
Tshangase further alleged that an internal audit confirmed the irregularities, identifying over R500,000 in questionable transactions across approximately 15 cases. He added that the municipal manager signed off on the audit report on 30 July 2025, but no action has been taken to date. As a result, the EFF is calling for the immediate suspension and dismissal of the official, as well as the opening of criminal cases against anyone found to be involved.
The memorandum also highlights broader service delivery concerns. These include the non-completion of a sports complex project reportedly worth R55 million, the deteriorating condition of local sports facilities, delayed payments and lack of proper working conditions for EPWP workers, and alleged political interference in the allocation of tenders, jobs and municipal land. The party has given the municipality seven days to respond to the memorandum, warning that failure to act may result in further mobilisation.
In response, the Greater Kokstad Municipality confirmed receipt of the memorandum and acknowledged the protest. “The municipality is aware of the march. They applied for the march in line with their constitutional rights and it was approved,” said GKM Communications.
The municipality stated that the Municipal Manager will process the enquiries through engagements with line managers, senior managers and political leadership. “Swift actions are going to be taken where required. The public and the concerned parties are going to be informed and engaged once the municipality has made determination on these matters. “As the municipality, we remain committed to transparency, accountability and ethical governance.”
