From farms to tenders and jobs, the relatives and their friends of Bethlehem mayor Lindiwe Makhalema have benefited greatly from the four years she has been at the helm of the Dihlabeng municipality.
They added: “Even the kids of the former owner declared that the farm falls under the municipality. The mayor’s family uses the farm like it’s their own and when we ask questions she always makes promises.” Sitting on a brown couch in a darkly lit shack, another resident said that when water tankers arrive on the farm, they start with the house that is currently occupied by one of the mayor’s brothers.
But less than 2km from these shacks, the home of the mayor’s family members sprawls on a plot. Near it sits a community hall that was allegedly used by the mayor’s brother for his wedding four years ago. This company was appointed as part of a panel of service providers for the supply and delivery of 25kg bags of cold asphalt on an “as and when required” basis for a period of three years.
“There are potholes everywhere here. Not only in townships, but also the main town, which used to be a great tourist attraction. Now it is going down the drain because of the mayor, who has been using state assets to enrich those around her. Why has she not declared any of this to the council?” asked the source.
Since 2017, the company has scored more than R4-million for various services, through short-term contracts. When thecontacted Mzizi, the company’s sole director, for comment he said the journalist asking questions was “drunk”. He did not address the concerns raised.