COGTA Probes Sakhisizwe Mayor, Speaker Over Fuel Card Claims

The Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Zolile Williams, has set in motion a preliminary misconduct investigation against Sakhisizwe Local Municipality Mayor Boniswa Elizabeth Ponoshe and the Speaker Nomzamo Mkati over allegations of fuel card abuse, witness intimidation and breaches of the Councillors’ Code of Conduct.

In a letter dated 29 May 2026, Williams confirmed receipt of a complaint from Xhalanga Civic Platform secretary Bulelani Bunyonyo.

The MEC has requested detailed reports from both the Mayor and Speaker, with the outcome to be communicated to the complainant once submissions are received.

The complaint accuses Mayor Ponoshe of abusing the municipal fleet fuel card allocated to vehicle HYK 711 EC by allegedly fuelling a private car. The Speaker faces allegations of abusing cards for HYK 706 EC and council bakkie HDY 959 EC.

MEC spokesperson Pheello Oliphant confirmed that the MEC sent the letters to both the Ponashe and Mkati.

Bunyonyo told Komani News that in a radio interview, the Mayor “finally admitted” on 29 April 2026 that she was under investigation by the SAPS Serious Commercial Crimes Unit after being interviewed by an investigating officer on 28 April.

He said FNB issued Sakhisizwe Municipality with a “FUEL ALERT” and delayed a card for vehicle KMC 439 EC due to the abuses.

“The Audit Committee has reportedly recommended internal disciplinary action against all councillors and officials implicated,” he said.

Bunyonyo said COGTA’s investigation will also probe whether councillors voted for resolutions conflicting with local government law.

“These include the unlawful appointment of an Acting Municipal Manager between Oct-Nov 2022 in breach of Section 54A(1) of the Municipal Systems Act, and voting for an irregular 4-member EXCO on 6 Dec 2022 in contravention of Section 43(2) of the Municipal Structures Act.”

Other items under scrutiny: liability for irregular expenditure under MFMA Section 32(1)(c), interference in administration, the Speaker’s alleged assault of the late Cllr Thembalakhe on 29 Sept 2025, and failure to submit bi-annual compliance reports to the MEC.

Bunyonyo said the Mayor and Speaker had until 11 June 2026 to make submissions.

He noted the Director of Public Prosecutions “correctly declined to prosecute” the Mayor on the fuel card case as of 30 May, but stressed the COGTA misconduct process was separate.

The probe adds to repeated governance concerns at Sakhisizwe, which services Cala and surrounding areas. Williams’ office said the Mayor and Speaker’s reports would determine the next step.

Attempts to get comment from Mayor Ponoshe and the Speaker were unsuccessful at the time of going to print.