Emfuleni arrests expose deep systemic failures: DA’s Chabalala

Democratic Alliance (DA) Emfuleni Municipal mayoral candidate, Kingsol Chabalala, says the arrest of the seven municipal employees shows the depth of systemic failures in the metro.

His comments come as the group is set to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court south of Johannesburg. [LISTEN] 7 Emfuleni Municipality employees to appear in court for allegedly taking bribes to illegally reconnect electricity https://t.co/xj0l702y45 #SABCNews #FirstTakeSA pic.twitter.com/AmYsUeEMma — SABC News Radio (@SABCNews_Radio) August 24, 2026 They are facing charges of fraud and theft after they allegedly took payments from residents to illegally reconnect electricity.

Chabalala says the municipality’s failures include a lack of consequence management.

“I think failure to strengthen internal controls to ensure that disconnections and reconnections are properly authorised and recorded.

Also two, I think one, of lack of political will by the political leadership of the institution to ensure that such incidents do not happen.

I think also three, consequence management.

As we’ve seen over the years, employees are allowed to do as they wish.

Also, employees who have been suspended for over seven years in a full and local municipality.” VIDEO | Seven Emfuleni Municipality employees arrested for alleged fraud, theft: