Local News
Allegations Surface Against Emalahleni Local Municipality CFO During Council Investigation
Allegations Against Suspended CFO
Suspended Emalahleni Local Municipality Chief Financial Officer Busisiwe Lubelwana faces allegations which include unilateral changes to the municipality’s investment and banking accounts and meddling with a VAT recovery tender.
Precautionary Suspension Decision
Lubelwana was placed on precautionary suspension following a council decision on Monday.
This is according to the letter sent to Lubelwana acting municipal manager Thozama Madotyeni.
According to Madotyeni the suspension was to allow for an independent investigation into allegations against Lubelwana.
Details Contained in the Suspension Letter
Madotyeni’s letter stated that the allegations against Lubelwana include making unauthorized changes to the municipality’s financial accounts and involvement in a tender that was reviewed and set aside by the High Court.
“Lubelwana has been prohibited from interfering with witnesses and is required to make herself available to the municipality upon request. However, she is banned from entering municipal offices without prior consent from the Acting Municipal Manager.”
Additional Allegations Mentioned
Other allegations against Lubelwana include the payment of a resource mobilization service provider that could result in irregular expenditure and failure to disclose disciplinary proceedings against her for financial misconduct with a previous employer.
Appointment of Acting CFO
The municipality has appointed Lwandile Juwele, the revenue and expenditure manager, as the acting CFO.
Madotyeni informed Lubelwana that council further resolved to appoint an independent body or person to investigate the allegations against you and other act/s of misconduct that may be established against her.
Municipal Spokesperson’s Confirmation
In a media statement on Monday, Emalahleni Local Municipality spokesperson Luthando Nqumkana said Lubelwana is on precautionary suspension pending the investigation.
“This is effective from the 17th November 2025 until the investigation is finalized.No further information can be communicated at this point as the issue is dealt with internally and as such any more information communicated might compromise the process,” he said.
He said Lwandile Juwele will remain as the Acting Chief Financial Officer as was announced previously.
Previous Special Leave and Tender Allegation
On 31 October 2025, Lubelwana was placed on special leave after the allegedly altering municipal investment account details without authorisation.
Juwele was appointed as acting CFO while the municipality launched a probe into her conduct.
Employment Background
She was hired at the municipality in December 2024 a month after resigning from Buffalo City Metropolitan Development Agency.
Right of Reply
Attempts to get comment from Lubelwana were unsuccessful by the time of publishing the article.
