Criminal Charges Laid Against Ethekwini Municipal Manager for Lying to Parliament

 

The charges relate to statements made by Mr Mbhele during a SCOPA meeting on 20 May 2026 concerning SIU Proclamation No. R. 9 of 2021 (attached), which authorised the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption, fraud, maladministration and unlawful conduct within the eThekwini municipality.

During the meeting, Mr Mbhele claimed that he had not seen the final SIU report, that the Municipality had not received it, that the investigation had not been finalised, that no blacklisting or administrative action had been recommended, and that only two disciplinary referrals had been made in an earlier version.

ActionSA believes these statements were false and intentionally misleading in an apparent attempt to evade accountability.

The final SIU report has long been in the public domain. The Presidency has confirmed in writing that the report and recommendations were sent to the Municipal Manager in August 2023, while municipal spokesperson Gugu Sisilana publicly acknowledged the Municipality’s engagement with the report.

The report itself confirms that the investigation had been finalised, that four disciplinary referrals were made to the Municipality, and that eleven matters were referred for administrative action, including blacklisting. Section 17(2)(e) of the Powers, Privileges and Immunities of Parliament and Provincial Legislatures Act criminalises the furnishing of false or misleading information before Parliament or its committees, with penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment.

What is deeply concerning is that the fraud and corruption identified by this SIU investigation is continuing unabated, largely due to the recommendations made by the SIU to the eThekwini Municipality not being implemented.

ActionSA maintains a zero-tolerance approach to corruption and will continue pursuing accountability wherever public officials attempt to mislead Parliament and the people of South Africa.