Zero lifestyle audits in South African city with widespread corruption and mismanagement

Ekurhuleni Metro has not done any lifestyle audits despite widespread corruption and mismanagement in the city.

This is feedback from DA Ekurhuleni mayoral candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane, who kicked off her kick-off of the ‘You Can Count On Khathu’ tour in Ekurhuleni.

“There is a disease in Ekurhuleni, and it has been allowed to spread for far too long. That disease is corruption,” she said.

“We have watched allegations pile up, investigations drag on, and millions of rands of taxpayer money disappear.”

“At the same time, residents are told there is not enough money to fix roads, maintain infrastructure, or deliver the basic services they pay for.”

She cited numerous scandals over the last few months, including a corrupt R1.8 billion chemical toilet tender and allegations surrounding the city’s billing system.

“We have seen irregular expenditure, questionable procurement and allegations of criminal syndicates within the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department,” she said.

“Taken together, they paint a picture of a municipality in which the systems meant to protect public money have simply not been good enough.”

She also pointed to the controversy surrounding the suspended Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) Deputy Chief Julius Mkhwanazi.

Rasilingwane questioned how someone facing serious allegations could remain in such a senior position for so long.

“Mkhwanazi is now suspended, but the people of Ekurhuleni have been made to pay R1.2 million in salary while he’s sat at home,” she said.

Khathutshelo Rasilingwane promises lifestyle audits for officials

Rasilingwane said that lifestyle audits should be used to identify corrupt officials in the Ekurhuleni Metro and bring them to book.  

A lifestyle audit is an investigative process that compares a person’s visible standard of living and assets against their known or declared income.

“When somebody entrusted with public money lives beyond what their legitimate income can support, the government should ask questions,” she said.

“A lifestyle audit does not presume that somebody is guilty. It does not replace a criminal investigation or the courts.”

She explained that lifestyle audits identify warning signs and discrepancies that warrant closer scrutiny.

“In a city rocked by allegation after allegation of corruption, you would expect lifestyle audits to be part of the fight against it,” she said.

“But here is what the people of Ekurhuleni need to know today. The City of Ekurhuleni has not conducted a single lifestyle audit. Not one.”

“After all the scandals, all the allegations and all the questions about what has happened to public money, not one lifestyle audit has been conducted.”

Rasilingwane promised that this would change should the Democratic Alliance get to govern the Ekurhuleni Metro.

“Within our first six months in office, we will conduct hundreds of lifestyle audits, beginning with senior officials,” she said.

She added that they will also conduct lifestyle audits on those occupying positions where the risk of corruption is greatest.