ANC Demands Criminal Prosecution and Asset Recovery Following R16 Million Fleet Management Fraud in Emfuleni Municipality

ANC Sedibeng calls for criminal charges and asset recovery in Emfuleni after a forensic report reveals R16 million lost to ghost vehicles and tender fraud.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 6:46 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from IOL

Forensic Audit Uncovers Deepening Institutional Rot

The governance crisis in the Emfuleni Local Municipality has escalated following the release of a forensic report detailing R16 million in irregular expenditure and gross asset mismanagement. According to ANC Sedibeng regional secretary Jason Mkhwane, the investigation confirmed that administrative failures and a near-total collapse of internal controls allowed for the widespread abuse of public resources. The findings describe a sophisticated web of irregular conduct involving both high-ranking municipal officials and a group of external service providers. Mkhwane stated that the party views these revelations with extreme seriousness, acknowledging that as the lead partner in the local coalition government, the ANC must spearhead the drive for accountability to restore public trust in the struggling municipality.

Ghost Vehicles and the High Cost of Fraud

The most damaging revelations in the report center on the procurement of heavy machinery and utility vehicles that were paid for but never added to the municipal fleet. In 2022, the municipality reportedly spent R8.7 million to purchase six specialized trucks; however, the investigation found that these vehicles were never delivered despite invoices being stamped and signed to confirm receipt. A similar pattern emerged regarding the purchase of eight Toyota Hilux bakkies, valued at over R500,000 each. According to the forensic findings, only three of the eight vehicles were delivered, and of those three, only one can currently be accounted for. The report explicitly implicates the fleet manager and assistant fleet manager for certifying these deliveries while knowing the vehicles were physically absent.

Identifying the Network of Implicated Contractors

The investigation has moved beyond internal staff to name several private entities and contractors alleged to have benefited from the irregular tender processes. Companies identified in the forensic report include Emerald Panel Beaters, Tec Auto, Twin City/Auto Perfect, and Vaal Business Cooperation, among others. According to municipal spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni, the investigator has recommended not only criminal investigations but also the formal blacklisting of these companies and their directors. The municipality’s strategy involves pursuing civil litigation to recover the financial losses suf...