With some municipalities spending up to R23 million on precautionary suspensions and drawn-out disciplinary cases, Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Jacob Mamabolo has called for urgent intervention to stop public funds from being drained by unresolved disciplinary processes.
The warning comes amid growing concern over suspension-related costs that have ranged from more than R8.4 million to as much as R23 million in some municipalities, with several cases dragging on for years while employees continue receiving salaries at taxpayers' expense.
Mamabolo's intervention follows recent revelations at the troubled Emfuleni Local Municipality, where nearly R24 million has reportedly been paid to suspended officials, including one accountant who is alleged to have received close to R6 million while on suspension since 2019.
The matter sparked outrage after it emerged that at least 22 municipal employees remained on suspension with pay between 2019 and 2026.
Speaking on the broader challenge facing municipalities across Gauteng, Mamabolo said precautionary suspensions remain an important governance tool but should not become an unnecessary financial burden.
