Mopani District Municipality CFO Dismissed Over Financial Misconduct
The Mopani District Municipality in Limpopo, South Africa, has dismissed its Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Sibongile Mathebula, following a disciplinary process that revealed financial misconduct. The dismissal, enacted on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, follows allegations of unlawfully awarding a R5.6 million contract related to the procurement of borehole spares.
Details of the Dismissal
According to a statement released by the municipality, the decision to dismiss Mathebula was based on the recommendations of a disciplinary hearing conducted in accordance with municipal regulations and labor laws. Spokesperson Odas Ngobeni confirmed that Mathebula was given a full opportunity to respond to the allegations during the proceedings, and that councilors carefully considered all submissions before reaching a conclusion. [Source: IOL]
Allegations of Irregular Tender Award
The disciplinary hearing focused on accusations that Mathebula improperly awarded a R5.6 million contract for borehole spares. [Source: The Citizen] An anonymous source within the municipality claimed that a panel of contractors was appointed in 2023, prior to the registration of the company ultimately awarded the tender, Ximatsatsa Investment Pty Ltd. The Auditor General of South Africa (AGSA) flagged the irregularity during a financial audit in 2025, prompting the council to launch an investigation and suspend Mathebula with pay in December 2024.
DA Calls for Stronger Internal Controls
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Mopani District Municipality has welcomed the dismissal, calling it a step in the right direction. [Source: DA Limpopo] DA councillor Mahlatswa Lebbeus Ramalepe urged the Executive Mayor, Pule Shayi, to expedite the recruitment of a suitably qualified replacement CFO and for the Municipal Manager, Tshepo Mogano, to implement consequence management for other officials implicated in the misappropriation of funds within the finance and supply chain management directorates.
Previous Allegations at Lepelle Northern Water
Reports indicate that Mathebula previously served as CFO for the Lepelle Northern Water Agency, where she likewise reportedly left under a cloud of allegations related to corruption in the tender award process. [Source: The Citizen] Despite these prior concerns, the Mopani District Municipality hired her to manage its over R2 billion annual budget.
Context of Corruption in Local Government
The dismissal occurs amid broader concerns about corruption in South African local government. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently warned that corruption is negatively impacting service delivery. [Source: The Citizen] According to the Institute for Security Studies, corruption in municipalities is often systemic, involving collusion between officials and service providers, tender fraud, and nepotism, resulting in an estimated R32 billion in annual financial losses.