Last Wednesday the Greater Kokstad Municipality convened a Special Council meeting following the allegations of corruption against Ward 6 Councillor, Ntombikhona Mfukuli.
Video footage, voice notes and WhatsApp messages have been made public on social media implicating Mfukuli allegedly soliciting and receiving money from community members by promising them employment within the municipality.
In a media briefing following the Special Council meeting, Speaker Bhekokwakhe Nozaza, stated that the ‘evidence’ is in the possession of the office of the Speaker and the Municipality.
“The Greater Kokstad Municipality has learnt with shock and dismay about serious allegations of corruption by one of the Councillors in the municipality. The nature of the allegations and their public circulation have raised serious concerns about the Municipality’s reputation, the integrity of its recruitment processes and public confidence in Council,” said Nozaza.
He further stated that a multi-party ad hoc committee has been established to investigate the allegations involving Councillor Mfukuli. The members include: Cllr N Mda (Chairperson);
Cllr Njobe (AIC) (Scriber); Cllr Putuma (DA); Cllr Njisane (ANC); Cllr Luhabe (EFF) and Cllr Thabethe (ANC).
Nozaza said that Councillor Mfukuli had been given the opportunity to provide a written response to the Council regarding the allegations, due by end of day of 15 October 2026. It is unclear whether the response was received as requests for feedback from the municipality went unanswered.
According to Nozaza, once an investigation outcome has been reached by the appointed committee, the results and a recommendation for disciplinary action (if applicable) will be sent to the COGTA MEC for evaluation. He said that the final decision in terms of dismissal, disciplinary action etc is in the hands of the MEC. He confirmed that currently Councillor Mfukuli has not been suspended and continues her duty as Ward 6 Councillor. He also confirmed that no criminal case has yet been opened with the SAPS.
“Our challenge is that none of the victims have come forward, or anyone who can verify the footage, messages and voice note. We need the victims to come forward and open a criminal case. We implored the ad hoc committee to move with speed in dealing with the assignment so that justice would be served. A formal, impartial and procedurally fair investigation is required,” said Nozaza.
Democratic Alliance Councillor, Bradwyn Marcne has however called the scandal a ‘disgrace’ as he claims that there has been evidence of other corrupt incidences involving the said councillor.
“The true scandal is the complicity and silence of the GKM leadership who have known about these crimes for over a year. It is unacceptable that the Mayor and Municipal Manager are only now pretending disbelief and acting because a video has surfaced and the media has made it public knowledge. Documented evidence proves that as early as July 31, 2025, the Mayor and Municipal Manager were formally alerted to this councillor’s financial exploitation,” said Marnce.
He claims that a whistleblower explicitly detailed how Councillor Mfukuli was allegedly extorting money for jobs on the R617 road upgrade and taking cash for housing in the nearby squatter camps.
“The leadership acknowledged the severity of the issue at the time, stating it brought the GKM into disrepute, and promised to refer it to the Speaker. Yet, for over a year, absolutely no action was taken. They protected her until public pressure forced their hand. The municipality’s current proposal to form an “internal ad-hoc committee” to investigate is nothing more than a stalling tactic designed to sweep this under the rug. This is not a mere breach of municipal policy; this is fraud, extortion, and corruption,” Marnce continued.
He said that the DA demands that a formal criminal case should be opened with the SAPS and the Hawks as the party feels the matter is for law enforcement and not an internal matter. He says the DA further demands the immediate suspension of the councillor as well as immediate suspension by the African National Congress from all political activities immediately.
“This councillor’s actions are not an isolated incident but part of a well-documented history of alleged misconduct, which includes the illegal selling of state land at the Ettrick farm, orchestrating wide-scale land invasions, and extorting residents for basic municipal documents like proof of residence,” said Marnce.
He further stated that the way the incident is being handled is symptomatic of a ‘much deeper rot’.
“Over the past decade of ANC rule in Kokstad, residents have been subjected to a steady decline in governance characterized by a history of corrupt councillors and officials who operate with impunity. The ruling party has continually tainted its own name by shielding those involved in corruption rather than holding them accountable. After ten years, the residents of Kokstad deserve service delivery and integrity, not institutionalized corruption and extortion. We will not accept internal cover-ups. The evidence is clear, the timeline of leadership’s inaction is documented, and the residents of Kokstad demand justice,” concluded Marnce.
- Ward 6 Councillor, Ntombikhona Mfukuli has been implicated in corrupt incidences after allegedly soliciting and receiving money from community members by promising them employment within the municipality.
- In 2022, Councillor Mfukuli was implicated in the illegal landgrab at Ettrick Farm along the R617.
