- Moloko Monyepao was put on suspension by the City of Ekurhuleni after facing claims of neglect.
- A probe was initiated into Monyepao following the municipality’s loss of R2 billion in income.
- South Africans questioned why he was only suspended when R2 billion had been lost
News Journalist Byron Pillay has devoted a decade to covering the intricacies of South Africa’s politics, crime, and societal challenges. After spending ten years with the Northern Natal Courier, he moved into digital media.
GAUTENG - The City of Ekurhuleni certainly doesn’t lack excitement, and now the municipality’s council finds itself entangled in yet another scandal.
Moloko Monyepao, who serves as the Chief Information Officer for the municipality, has been placed on suspension due to claims of neglect.
It is claimed that Monyepao’s supposed neglect led to the city losing approximately R2 billion in income during the first quarter of the fiscal year.
System problem leads to R2 billion revenue gap
Reports indicate that the city faced a deficit of R2 billion in revenues due to a malfunctioning billing system.
Over 1,600 electricity accounts were tampered with, with some balances either reduced or completely wiped out.
The problems reportedly began in July 2023 but were only picked up in the first quarter of the current financial year.
Monyepao suspended as investigation begins
Monyepao, the head of the city’s Information Communication & Technology (ICT), has been suspended as an investigation into the shortfall begins.
Monyepao, as the person responsible for overseeing the system, is in the spotlight. Questions have been raised about how he failed to detect the irregularities, with some suspicions raised that he may be involved.
Households and businesses whose accounts were tampered with will still be required to repay the amount that they were undercharged.
This year, the municipality has encountered numerous challenges. A vote of no confidence aimed at the speaker was scheduled for February 27, 2025, but it was pulled back right before it was supposed to take place.
On 19 March, employees from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department (EMPD) went on a strike regarding their salaries and overtime pay, causing blockages on multiple roads across the city.
People from South Africa are irritated and upset.
Social media users shared their thoughts after Monyepao was suspended, with several expressing frustration that he didn't receive harsher consequences.
Billy Moorcroft
“It’s not neglect. This is clear, straightforward corruption.”
Bruce Patcha added:
You lose R2 billion and end up getting suspended. In China, they'd chop off your head.
Harry Van der Merwe mentioned:
Cancer cadre members excelling at their usual antics. corruption is deeply rooted in their essence.
@LetlatsaMo1345 asked:
What does being suspended accomplish when I’m chuckling all the way to the bank with that massive stash?
@Victor46715833 said:
Rather than sending him directly to prison, you decided to suspend his sentence. Kanti, what does R2 billion mean?
Officials from Emalahleni Local Municipality were apprehended
In another piece, two members of the Emalahleni Local Municipality Mayoral Committee (MMC) were taken into custody on April 16, 2025.
News It has been reported that the pair, who are 54 and 55 years old, were apprehended following their acceptance of R20,000 as a bribe.
South Africans felt exasperated by the news and thought that the case would likely fade away just as numerous previous ones had.