DA in Mbombela demands accountability for R145m overtime expenditure

MBOMBELA – The DA in Mbombela demands accountability for the municipality’s excessive R145 million overtime bill for the past two quarters, as residents continue to endure collapsing service delivery.

The party has formally written to City of Mbombela municipal manager Wiseman Khumalo to account for R77 million in overtime in the third quarter and R68 million in the fourth quarter.

According to DA councillor Kyle Oliver, the DA is not opposed to paying overtime where it is justified. The concern is the lack of transparency around authorisation, controls and results.

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“Council should be provided with information on how these amounts were authorised, what overtime monitoring control measures are in place, and how this overtime improves service delivery,” said Oliver.

Oliver says instead of providing factual information, supporting documentation, compliance reports and measurable performance indicators, the municipality has relied on broad statements and general assurances.

DA in Mbombela demands accountability: residents paying more, getting less

The DA Mbombela demands accountability, and Oliver says says residents are confronted daily with faulty streetlights, deteriorating roads and potholes, and infrastructure vandalism, while employees claim millions in overtime.

“Residents work hard to pay rates and taxes. They have a right to expect that every rand spent by the municipality is spent efficiently, transparently and in the best interests of the community,” Oliver said.

“Taxpayers must receive value for money. We cannot justify a multi-million rand overtime bill while basic services fail.”

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DA in Mbombela demands accountability: call for transparency and good governance

The DA states that accountability means demonstrating that proper controls were in place, that expenditure was necessary, that compliance requirements were met, and that public funds were managed responsibly.

The party has formally requested additional information and documentary evidence to enable Council to fulfil its constitutional oversight responsibilities.

“This matter is not about politics. It is about good governance, responsible financial management and respect for the residents who fund municipal operations, and the DA in Mbombela demands accountability,” Oliver added.

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Local government elections on 4 November

Oliver noted that local government accountability ultimately begins at the ballot box, with residents of Mbombela set to vote on 4 November.

“If given a chance, the City of Mbombela will be turned into a functional municipality. We will immediately stop the chaos and serve all residents,” he said.

FACT BOX: City of Mbombela Local Municipality

FACT BOX: Local Government Elections 2026 – Mbombela