Sedibeng – Sedibeng District Municipality’s executive mayor, Lerato Maloka, faces suspension after a forensic investigation revealed her official Mercedes-Benz was sabotaged. The investigation also uncovered driver negligence and broader governance failures within the municipality.
The council has sought guidance from Gauteng MEC Jacob Mamabolo on the suspension process since May, but claims he has not responded. Sedibeng municipal manager Motsumi Mathe has accused Mamabolo of ignoring a council resolution to suspend Mayor Lerato Maloka.
The controversy centers on Maloka’s official Mercedes-Benz GLB 250, which was sabotaged with a foreign granular substance resembling brown sugar in its engine oil system. Council speaker Moipone Modikeng has written to Mamabolo requesting guidance on suspending Maloka following damning findings from the external investigation conducted by Kgomo Attorneys.
The probe uncovered evidence of deliberate sabotage that caused extensive engine damage, voiding the manufacturer’s warranty and leaving the municipality with repair costs of between R261 041 and R389 071. The forensic report found that unknown perpetrators intentionally placed the foreign substance into the vehicle’s oil system, but investigators could not identify the culprit despite opening a case with the SA Police Service.
The investigation also revealed serious negligence by mayoral driver Joseph Mofikoe, who failed to respond to warning lights and unusual engine noises before the vehicle broke down on 28 July 2023.
The investigation also uncovered broader systemic failures within the municipality, including violations of VIP protection policies and irregular vehicle utilization patterns. Investigators found that both Maloka and a previous accounting officer had failed in their duties regarding proper vehicle management under the Municipal Finance Management Act.
Another investigation against Maloka focuses on her trip to Germany. The investigation was commissioned following a council resolution on 25 September 2024 to probe not only the vehicle sabotage, but also “matters related to an official trip to Germany” involving the mayor.
After the investigation report was presented at council meetings on 21 May and 28 May last year, councillors resolved to notify Mamabolo of their intention to suspend Maloka.
The potential suspension comes at a critical time for Sedibeng District Municipality, which includes the industrial heartland of the Vaal Triangle. The combination of sabotage allegations, overseas travel concerns and management failures threatens to destabilise municipal operations in one of Gauteng’s key economic regions.
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