Madibeng municipal manager Quiet Kgatla is staying in office following allegations of financial conduct after the Madibeng council resolved that the allegations were exaggerated and baseless.

Municipal Manager Quiet Kgatla and mayor Douglas Maimane.

However, the council resolved “that the matter be referred to the disciplinary board for further scrutiny and a report be submitted to council within 30 days without suspension of the municipal manager.”
This follows a report presented to the Madibeng council earlier this month, recommending investigation proceedings against Kgatla after allegations of misconduct. According to the report, the municipal manager allegedly committed acts of misconduct in the appointment of a contractor without following the supply chain management process. The allegation stems from the appointment of a contractor after a former contractor did not deliver services.
Violent protests ensued in Damonsville last month after a contractor who won a tender to build houses in Damonsville did not turn up to do the job.
Following the protests, the municipality terminated the contractor’s contract and Kgatla appointed a new contractor. Kgatla was taken to task for not following the tender and consultation processes, among other things.
The report also accused Kgatla of financial misconduct after he allegedly instructed the withdrawal of R25 million from the Municipal Infrastructure Grant (MIG) to pay security contractors and operational contracts.
Kgatla was also accused of an unlawful settlement agreement related to a dismissal dispute. He allegedly instructed the legal division to settle out of court.
He was given seven days to provide reasons why a precautionary suspension should not be effected. In his written submission, Kgatla said the allegations against him were baseless as the whistleblower had insufficient information and proof. Regarding the appointment of a new contractor for the Damonsville electrification project, Kgatla said the appointed contractor withdrew and the delay caused increased illegal connections and losses. He said the project required immediate intervention.
Regarding the use of MIG funds for payment of security services, he said that, except for the MIG account, all the municipality’s other accounts had a nil balance. “The reason for tapping into the MIG instead of the money set aside for salaries was informed by the fact that the municipality had until June 2025 to exhaust its MIG cash received, but it had no such latitude when it comes to salaries and wages.” The money borrowed from the MIG account was paid back in January through the collection of service charges.
“The Municipal Manager made a written submission to Council as per the resolution of the Special Council Meeting of 10 February 2025. The council then resolved that the allegations are exaggerated, therefore baseless and that there is no evidence of a financial misconduct case to be answered. Council further resolved that the matter be referred to the disciplinary Board for further scrutiny and a report be submitted to council within 30 days without suspension of the Municipal Manager,” municipal spokesperson Tumelo Tshabalala said.