By 
BLOEMFONTEIN — The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality Council has officially resolved to appoint an independent investigator to probe formal misconduct allegations levelled against Municipal Manager and Accounting Officer, Mr. Sello More.
The resolution follows a formal submission by the Democratic Alliance (DA) tabled in Council, invoking Section 5 of the Local Government: Disciplinary Regulations for Senior Managers, 2010, read alongside the Local Government: Municipal Systems Act.
Scope of the Investigation
The allegations brought forward by the DA cover widespread administrative, financial, and operational concerns. Key areas slated for scrutiny include:
- Governance & Legislative Compliance: Failures regarding compliance with statutory frameworks and the implementation of Council decisions.
- Financial Management & Auditing: Lapses in internal controls, revenue management, and issues stemming directly from the Auditor-General’s audit report dated 27 January 2026.
- MFMA & Consequence Management: Alleged non-compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and a failure to enforce consequence management within municipal administration.
Procedural Integrity and Due Process
In an official statement released on 23 July 2026 by Nicolette Maysiels, Acting General Manager for Communications, the municipality emphasized that the appointment of an independent investigator does not constitute a finding of guilt.
“Council’s decision to appoint an independent investigator should not be interpreted as a finding of guilt against the Municipal Manager. Rather, it is a procedural step prescribed by legislation whenever Council is satisfied that allegations warrant an independent investigation.”
The appointed investigator is tasked with conducting an impartial inquiry and submitting a comprehensive report detailing findings and recommendations within statutory timeframes.
Upon receipt of the final report, Council will determine the appropriate legal course of action. Should sufficient evidence of misconduct be uncovered, formal disciplinary proceedings will be considered. Conversely, if the allegations lack supporting evidence, the matter will be concluded accordingly.
Commitment to Governance
The municipality reiterated its commitment to transparency, procedural fairness, and the rule of law, appealing to stakeholders and the public to allow the independent process to unfold without prejudice or speculation.
The council further noted its ongoing commitment to strengthening internal controls, ensuring statutory compliance, and restoring public confidence in Mangaung’s administration. Further developments will be communicated as the legal process progresses.
