Tsimanyane small business owners accuse Ward Councillor of corrupt practices

TSIMANYANE

A group of small businesses in Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) Ward 16, have raised serious concerns about the handling of a road re-gravelling project from Tsimanyane to Mohlotsi, accusing their Ward Councillor, Koketso Mamahlako of promoting unfair and possibly corrupt practices.

The project, which involves re-gravelling the D4340 Road, started earlier this month and is expected to be completed in three months’ time.

However, the small businesses claim that they were not formally or officially informed about the project, and only noticed construction activities taking place in their village without any prior communication or public notice.

“It is as if the Councillor has something to gain personally. It takes a certain level of dishonesty to stand in front of the youth and deliberately mislead them,” said a local businessman who wished to remain anonymous.

The small businesses allege that the councillor initially claimed he was aware of the project but was not involved in its implementation. However, as the project progressed, he suddenly became actively involved, alongside two businesspeople who are now supplying all the machinery on site. This sudden shift has raised serious questions about transparency and integrity.

“We are disappointed and feel betrayed by our own elected representative, who is undermining local economic development and small business participation in EPMLM Ward 16,” the businessman said.

The small businesses also accuse Councillor Mamahlako of spreading misinformation and portraying them as individuals trying to stop the project. They claim that they were denied the opportunity to bid for subcontracting work and that the councillor and his inner circle are excluding them from the project.

They also accuse the councillor of promoting unfair business practices by awarding contracts to a single individual without a fair and transparent process.

“We were even denied access to a community meeting where these issues were discussed, and were not allowed to present our side of the story,” said the local businessman.

The small businesses are calling for a fair and transparent process, and for Councillor Mamahlako to be held accountable for his actions. At the time of going to press, the EPMLM could not respond to the publication’s enquiries.