WeeklySA_AdminFINDINGS: The City of Matlosana has dismissed suspended CFO Mercy Phetla after a disciplinary inquiry found her guilty on five charges, including gross misconduct and dishonesty, as a council meeting meant to consider her case collapsed into chaos and walkouts…
By Lehlohonolo Lehana
The City of Matlosana Local Municipality in Klerksdorp has officially dismissed its corruption-accused chief financial officer (CFO), Mercy Phetla, following a disciplinary inquiry that found her guilty on all five charges brought against her.
Phetla’s dismissal comes after a council sitting convened on January 22 2026 to deliberate on a disciplinary report recommending her immediate termination descended into chaos, ultimately failing to reach a quorum.
The meeting was disrupted by walkouts from African National Congress (ANC) councillors, while the Democratic Alliance (DA) accused the municipality’s Executive Mayor and Speaker, Stella Mondlane-Ngwenya, of deliberately withholding the original disciplinary report from the council agenda. Mondlane-Ngwenya said the postponement was necessary because the municipal manager was absent and a legal team needed to be present to outline the findings against Phetla.
However, Fullview understands the walkouts were staged to shield Phetla from accountability over the allegations she faces.
According to the DA, Phetla’s termination letter was issued administratively after the council meeting collapsed. DA caucus leader Gerhard Strydom alleged that a faction within the ANC “attempted to protect the CFO from accountability,” arguing that council had not approved certain charges and demanding that the presiding officer explain the outcome.
The DA rejected this, insisting that council had “no authority to interfere with the process” and warning against turning council into an “unlawful appeal body”. The Speaker then abruptly closed the meeting while proposals were still being debated.
The disciplinary inquiry delivered a scathing finding on Phetla’s conduct, concluding that her actions were “calculated act[s] designed to defraud the municipality” rather than administrative negligence.
The report found that Matlosana paid service provider Variegated (Pty) Ltd more than R6 million for services that were never rendered. Further investigations revealed that of the amount paid to Variegated, more than R4 million was reportedly transferred to a vehicle dealership for the purchase of three luxury vehicles — a Porsche valued at R2.3 million, a Maserati valued at R1.4 million, and a Range Rover worth R1 million.
Matlosana Municipality, currently under mandatory intervention in terms of the Constitution to stabilise and restore its financial health, suspended Phetla last year after she was charged with corruption and fraud.
This is not the first time Phetla has faced allegations of financial misconduct. She previously served as CFO at Dr Pixley ka Isaka Seme Local Municipality in Mpumalanga, where she was dismissed last year amid claims she benefited from irregular payments under her oversight.
Another allegation against Phetla is that she authorised payments totalling R20 million within 24 hours to a small number of creditors.
Matlosana officials have not yet confirmed whether criminal proceedings linked to the disciplinary findings will now be pursued. – Fullview
MIRROR Briefs
Machel Wins Gandhi Award
TMozambican rights activist and humanitarian Graça Machel has been named the winner of the Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2025, the Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust announced.
The award, decided by an international jury chaired by former Indian National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, recognises her work in education, health and nutrition, women’s economic empowerment and humanitarian leadership.
Machel, a former Mozambique Minister of Education and Culture, helped expand school enrolment after independence in 1975. She later led a landmark UN study on children affected by armed conflict and has remained active globally through initiatives such as The Elders and Girls Not Brides. She also founded the Graça Machel Trust to advance women’s empowerment and good governance.
Past winners of the Indira Gandhi Peace Prize include global leaders like Mikhail Gorbachev and Angela Merkel, organizations such as UNICEF and ISRO, and figures like Jimmy Carter, Sir David Attenborough, and recent awardees like Michelle Bachelet (2024) and Daniel Barenboim & Ali Abu Awwad (2023). The prize honours those promoting global peace, disarmament, and socio-economic justice, with recipients ranging from heads of state to NGOs. – Pioneer/Club of Mozambique
MTN in Iran Shutdown Storm
Africa’s largest telecom operator, MTN Group, has been drawn deeper into Iran’s controversial communications shutdown after the chief executive of MTN Irancell was removed over an alleged delay in enforcing blackout orders.
Sources familiar with the matter said Iranian authorities ousted Alireza Rafiei after he reportedly took about two hours to block phone calls when instructed to join a nationwide shutdown on 8 January 2026. Irancell’s state-backed majority shareholders, linked to security structures, replaced him with military veteran Mohammad Hossein Soleimanian — a move MTN, which owns 49% of the operator, claims it was not informed about.
MTN is reportedly preparing to write to the Irancell board to challenge the decision. The group declined to comment, while Irancell did not respond to queries.
The communications blackout has restricted information on widespread protests sparked by rising inflation and alleged corruption. A UN expert estimated this week that at least 5,000 civilians may have been killed, while Iran’s internet blockade has entered its third week, isolating more than 90 million people.
MTN entered Iran in 2006 but has sought to exit since 2020. US sanctions have made it difficult to sell or repatriate earnings. Analysts estimate hundreds of millions of dollars remain trapped. Irancell has around 70 million active SIMs, giving it about 42% market share. MTN’s Iran ties have also fuelled reputational and legal pressure, including ongoing bribery claims and a US probe into sanctions compliance. – Fulltime
‘We’re living in filth’
Residents of Seweding village in Mahikeng say they have endured persistent sewage spills for months, with raw sewage flooding streets and front yards and creating dangerous living conditions. The problem worsens during rainfall as sewage mixes with stormwater, leaving a foul smell and raising health concerns.
“We can’t even allow our children to play outside,” said resident Thandiwe Mokoena, adding that repeated reports to the municipality have brought no change.
The Mahikeng Local Municipality has acknowledged the sewage problem, citing ageing infrastructure and unexpected weather patterns as contributing factors. Officials have promised investigations and repairs. But residents remain sceptical, saying they want action, not assurances.
It’s been nearly a year since Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality mayor, Khumalo Molefe, visited the area in February 2025 following complaints from residents. Despite assurances that work is underway, residents say their lives and health remain at risk.
Community leader Kgosi Motwani called for urgent intervention. The Mahikeng Local Municipality blamed ageing infrastructure and unusual weather, promising repairs. Residents remain sceptical and are demanding interim waste measures and health screenings.
One resident, Sinah Cungwa, says her asthma has worsened and wants help from the SAHRC. – Health-e News
DFFE warns public against transformer oil
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) has warned the public not to apply transformer oil or any other electrical equipment oil to the body, or use it for non-industrial purposes.
The department cautioned that such oils may contain polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) — toxic chemicals linked to serious health and environmental risks.
During engagements with municipalities in 2024, DFFE noted dangerous misconceptions in some communities, including claims that transformer oil can treat conditions such as rheumatic arthritis. The department urged municipal officials not to supply transformer oil to residents.
PCBs, widely used between 1929 and 1989 in transformers and other industrial equipment, were banned in many countries decades ago but remain a threat in older systems.
DFFE said PCBs are possible carcinogens and may harm the immune, reproductive, neurological and endocrine systems. South Africa is working with municipalities to eliminate PCBs in line with a 2025 international deadline. – SAnews
