DA rebukes EPMLM over alleged unlawful multimillion rand land sale
MARBLE HALL – The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Sekhukhune Region has lambasted the Ephraim Mogale Local Municipality (EPMLM) for improperly handling a municipal land sale, alleging a lack of transparency and fairness in the process.
According to the party, the land, valued at over R10 million, was allegedly approved for sale to Twin City Trading for just under R4 million, sparking concerns of maladministration and potential corruption.
According to the DA, the sale was approved at a council meeting on Friday 23 January 2026, without a public auction or competitive process, contravening Section 217 of the Constitution and the Municipal Finance Management Act.
DA Sekhukhune Regional Political Head, Nico Pienaar, said the decision was “not only reckless, but unlawful”.
“The direct sale of municipal land to a pre-selected company without a public auction or competitive process, and without a lawful and rational basis, is fundamentally inconsistent with the Constitution’s requirements for fair, equitable, transparent, competitive, and cost-effective procurement,” Pienaar said.
EPMLM Spokesperson, Life Nape, responded, saying the municipality did not sell land to anyone and that the council had taken a resolution to revisit negotiations on the price.
“It is misleading to say the municipality sold the land because we did not sell land to anyone. The municipality had property valuers to determine the property value brought to their determinations. The council took a resolution to go back to negotiate the price and so far, we can safely say there’s no price which the municipality took,” Nape said.
However, the DA insists that they demand full access to valuation reports, justification for bypassing a competitive process, and legal opinions relied upon by the municipality.
The party said they will escalate the matter to the Auditor-General, National Treasury, and relevant oversight bodies, and may pursue legal action under the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act.
