Municipality News
Enoch Mgijima

ENOCH MGIJIMA MUNICIPALITY DISMISSES TWO EMPLOYEES FOR PENSION PAYOUT SCANDAL

1 min read69 views

TO ALL MEDIA

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

21 August 2026

The Enoch Mgijima Municipality has dismissed two employees involved in the pension payout scandal. The dismissals were effected today following a disciplinary process.

In total, nine employees were suspended and a criminal case was opened with the South African Police Service. Of the nine, seven obtained their pension funds, while two are implicated in facilitating the irregular withdrawals. Disciplinary hearings for the remaining employees involved in the matter will be held between August and September.

The preliminary quantification of losses incurred is estimated to be at least R13 million.

In the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years, these municipal employees allegedly made claims under the guise that they had resigned from the municipality. After receiving their payouts, they changed their pension funds. No resignation notifications were received by the Municipal Manager.

The matter remains under investigation, and the municipality would like to assure the public that all fraud and corruption by any individual will be investigated and that decisive action will always be taken.

Issued by:

Enoch Mgijima LM

Share:

More from Enoch Mgijima

CABLE THIEF CAUGHT RED-HANDED IN KOMANI

MEDIA RELEASE For Immediate Release 24 July 2026 A case of theft and vandalism of infrastructure has been opened against a man found stealing streetlight cables in Komani. The suspect was caught by community members cutting cables near the road between Komani Park and Queensview Park today. The police were called to the scene and he was apprehended. Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality continues to battle theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure. These criminal acts cause power outages and damage to streetlights, leaving communities and residents in darkness. A week ago, the Queendustria substation was vandalised and some material was stolen. The incident resulted in power failures affecting several areas, including Komani Hospital. The Municipality commends the vigilance of the community members who apprehended the suspect and immediately contacted the police. We urge all residents to remain alert and report any suspicious activity involving municipal infrastructure. END For more information: Lonwabo Kowa Manager: Communications Cell: 067 415 5822

•43 views

ENOCH MGIJIMA LOCAL MUNICIPALITY CONDEMNS THE THEFT OF CABLES AND VANDALISM AT QUEENDUSTRIA SUBSTATION

MEDIA STATEMENT For immediate release 15 July 2026 Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality strongly condemns the theft of electrical cables and the vandalism of the Queendustria Substation, which occurred during the night of 14 July 2026. The incident has resulted in an unplanned power interruption affecting all areas supplied by the substation. The stolen cables and damaged components form part of the substation’s electrical protection system, which safeguards the electricity network and enables the safe and reliable distribution of power. The full extent of the damage cannot be determined at this stage. Municipal technical teams are on site. Urgent procurement processes, undertaken in terms of the emergency provisions of the Municipality’s Supply Chain Management Policy, are underway to appoint specialist service providers who will verify the extent of the damage and advise the Municipality on the quickest possible means of restoring the electricity supply safely. The Municipality is consequently not in a position to provide a restoration timeframe at this stage. A realistic timeframe will be communicated as soon as the specialist assessment has been completed. Residents and businesses are advised to prepare for an extended interruption. The affected areas are: • Komani Park • Queensview Park • Laurie Dashwood Park • Ezibeleni • Sandringham • New Rest • Army Base The Municipality understands the serious impact that a prolonged electricity interruption has on households, businesses and essential services. Every effort will be made to restore the electricity supply as soon as it is safe and technically possible to do so. A criminal case has been opened with the South African Police Service. The Municipality calls upon law enforcement agencies to investigate the matter thoroughly and to ensure that those responsible are brought to book. The theft and vandalism of municipal infrastructure place an additional financial burden on the Municipality and its residents. Funds that should be applied to service delivery and community development must instead be redirected to the replacement and repair of damaged infrastructure. The Municipality appeals to residents and businesses to assist in protecting public infrastructure. Anyone who witnesses suspicious activity near substations, transformers, electrical installations or other municipal infrastructure is urged to report it immediately to the Municipality on 045 807 6000. The Municipality thanks affected residents for their patience, understanding and cooperation while this matter receives urgent attention. Further updates will be communicated through the Municipality’s official communication platforms. ENDS Issued by: Enoch Mgijima Local Municipality Media enquiries: Sandiso Gcobo Communications Officer Cell: 061 197 6205 Email: communications@enochmgijima.gov.za

•37 views