Matlosana CFO, whip accused of cred it card, vehicle abuse
THE chief financial officer of the Matlosana Municipality, Mercy Phetla, and the council whip, Khaya Ndincede, are accused of abusing a municipal vehicle and credit card for personal use at the expense of taxpayers.
In municipal fleet records, which the Sunday Independent has seen, and a letter written by fleet maintenance unit superintendent Raymond Holele to his superiors, Phetla requested that Ndincede be provided with a Toyota Fortuner and a credit card belonging to the municipality.
Holele’s letter, dated November 15, 2023, details the matter.
“Around the first week of August 2023, I met the CFO at the financial building and she requested me to prepare the above-mentioned vehicle for the chief whip to use. On 24 August 2023, the CFO sent me a Whatsapp message with a request to deliver the vehicle when done.
“The vehicle was delivered to CFO’S office … Later it was delivered to the chief whip by an officer from the speaker’s office called Itumeleng Payi with 201553 kilometres (on the clock).
“A few hours later, Itumeleng and the chief whip (Ndincede) arrived at the garage to request the petrol card and I requested them to give the ID copy of whoever will be using it.”
Holele said on October 22 Ndincede sent him pictures of a vehicle rim and damaged tyre. “I promised to attend to the vehicle the following day.
“When driving the vehicle, the vehicle body vibrates when approaching 60km/h. The vehicle is at the garage not yet repaired. However a quotation was received from Friedenthal service provider to look at the alignment and vibration of the vehicle,” Holele wrote.
It was not clear what the municipal vehicle and credit card were being used for, especially, outside Matlosana Municipality or the North West.
According to municipal records, on August 25, at around 3.25pm the credit card was used for fuel at Engen Spitsko, Langenhoven, in Bloemfontein.
On August 26 at 8.28am, the credit card was used for fuel at Ultra City Que in Queenstown (Komani). On August 27 at 3.22pm, it was used for fuel at Elliot Engen. On the same day at 7.02pm, the credit card was at Engen, Langenhoven in Bloemfontein.
The following month, Ndincede continued swiping the credit card for fuel in various locations.
On September 4, around 2.54pm, he used the card at Sadiki N12 NOR in Pretoria. On September 9, at 7.44pm, the credit card was used for fuel at Total Brites ST in Engcobo.
On the same day, at 11.53pm, it was used at Aliwal Auto in Aliwal North, and on September 10 at 5.30pm it was used for fuel in the same area.
On September 11, at 6.59pm, the credit card was used to purchase fuel at JY Motors, Orkney. On September 27, at 10.57am the credit card was again used for fuel in Orkney.
On October 4, the card was used for fuel at 3.01pm in West End Dien, Lichtenburg. On the next day, October 5, at 3.40pm, Ndincede used the card at Ultra city, Queenstown. On the same day, at 11.11am, he used the card at Engen Spitsko, Langenhoven in Bloemfontein.
On October 6, the card was used for fuel at Xolani Service in Engcobo.
No explanation what these trips were for has been provided by either Ndincede or Phetla. Sources with knowledge allege that Ndicede has not returned the credit card to the municipality.
Contacted for comment, Phetla and Ndincede did not respond. However, Phetla contacted Independent Media management to complain that she was being harassed after questions were asked about the vehicle and card.
Holele, who had handed over the vehicle and credit card to Phetla and Ndincede, said he was not authorised to speak on behalf of the municipality.
“I’m very sorry that I can’t give you such information. However, I can refer you to Ms Ntswaki Makgetha,” said Holele.
Matlosana spokesperson Ntswaki Makgetha did not respond to questions despite promises to do so.