Johannesburg,South Africa

ActionSA in Free State has requested the Office of the Public Protector to investigate Thanduxolo Khalipha, Mayor of Matjhabeng Local Municipality which is linked with corruption.

Patricia Kopane,ActionSA Free State Provincial Chairperson:"He is accused of having of the Municipality's service provider to build his R3.4 million mansion and that the service provider's daughter allegedly works in his office.

Matjhabeng Municipality is a Category B municipality which means the Mayor's salary is in the range of R1 119 386."

Kopane added that ActionSA wants Public Protector's probe to include the following:

• Using the municipality's service provider for his personal vanity projects.

• Hiring the service provider's daughter in his office.

• The appointment process of the service provider.

• Whether the Mayor declared his financial interest/(s).

Kopane is concerned about the residents of the municipality which is facing financial problems while its Mayor is living lifestyle that raising eyebrows.

"Matjhabeng residents deserve to know the source of their Mayor's opulent lifestyle.

It is sad to note that the Mayor can afford to live this lavish lifestyle while this cash-strapped municipality fails to pay service providers to an extent that its fleet has been attached,it also fails to pay its employees and their benefits,service provision has come into a complete halt,it can't provide the residence with consistent clean water,the problem is not water crisis yet but failure to maintain infrastructure will make it one",she added.

She revealed that ActionSA have spoken in depth with the lifestyle audits for anyone who is occupying a public office.

"At our recent policy conference we agreed that regular lifestyle audits should be compulsory for all senior state officials,elected office holders and officials involved with public procurement decision making processes,"she continued.

Kopane said that there should be increase in transparency of all procurement contracts by publishing the details of awarded tenders online,which should include line-item descriptors and prices.

Kopane maintained that should these allegations be found to be true,the Mayor should do the honourable thing and resign,he has done nothing to advance the lives of Matjhabeng residents,and he has been a liability.

She emphasised that when ActionSA governs it will ensure that resources meant for the public good are no longer plundered by unethical politicians,civil servants,and tenderpreneurs.Every cent of state money will be spent on delivering services to the people of South Africa in the interest of building a prosperous and inclusive society.