ANC PR Councillor Mzwamandla Nyembezi is under investigation by COGTA and the Hawks for allegedly benefitting from R3.5 million in tenders.

• ANC PR councillor Mzwamandla Nyembezi has been accused of benefitting from R3.5 million in tenders.
• Nyembezi will remain a councillor in the Matatiele Local Municipality while the Hawks and Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs investigate him.
• Mziomhle Trading allegedly received sub-contracts for the electrification of Mkhemana and Phalane villages in Matatiele’s Ward 22.

An ANC PR councillor in the Eastern Cape, Mzwamandla Nyembezi, is being investigated for allegedly benefitting from R3.5 million in municipal tenders.

Nyembezi is the head of the good governance and special programmes in the Matatiele Local Municipality, according to GroundUp.

Mziomhle Trading allegedly received sub-contracts for the electrification of Mkhemana and Phalane villages in Matatiele’s Ward 22, according to Eastern Cape Hawks spokesperson Yolisa Mgolodela.

Nyembezi, a director of Mziomhle since 2016, resigned in November 2021, according to a Companies and Intellectual Property Commission search.

However, sources close to the investigation claimed he still controlled the company and was the bank account signatory.

Currently, the company’s sole active member is Simbongile Nyembezi, a close relative.

The work has apparently been completed.

Eastern Cape Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs spokesperson Pheello Oliphant said the department was also investigating Nyembezi.

In June, Nyembezi was reported by an anonymous whistle-blower to the Public Service Commission for the irregular appointment of a company that then subcontracted the work to Mziomhle.

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Zolile Williams then notified the municipality.

In July, DA MPL Vicky Knoetze wrote to Williams requesting that Nyembezi be suspended, pending the investigation.

Knoetze alleged Nyembezi had directly benefitted through a construction procurement policy that encouraged the participation of local small and medium businesses in infrastructure projects.

Nyembezi told GroundUp he could not comment on the matter and referred the publication to municipal spokesperson Luncedo Walaza.

Walaza said a council meeting on 27 July resolved to allow the department to investigate.

He added that Nyembezi promised his full cooperation.

Walaza said as far as the municipality was concerned, Nyembezi was presumed innocent until proven guilty.

But DA PR councillor Wonga Potwana added Nyembezi ought to be suspended until the investigation is finalised.

Potwana said investigations by the department took a long time.

Matatiele Business Chamber member Zolile Mosweu added: “We are not aware of the allegations. If there are such allegations, the law is very clear – that any public servants or representatives are not allowed to tender.”