ActionSA notes the recent statement issued by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), in which it dismisses allegations of collusion with Mangaung’s power utility, CENTLEC, as “false and baseless.”
While we acknowledge the AGSA’s right to respond, its statement fails to engage substantively with the core issues raised. Moreover, we must make it clear: ActionSA is in possession of hard copy evidence and has received multiple whistleblower accounts detailing alleged manipulation of audit processes relating to CENTLEC. These are not claims made lightly, nor without a foundation in documented and corroborated testimony.
Despite the AGSA’s blanket denial, there remains no evidence of an internal or external process undertaken to assess or investigate these serious allegations. Specifically, the AGSA has not confirmed:
Whether a decision was taken to investigate the matter.
What methodology or standards were applied to assess the credibility of the allegations.
The outcome of any internal review or special audit, if conducted.
Whether any findings or recommendations were made available to the public.
This lack of procedural transparency, even in the face of credible whistleblower inputs and documentary evidence, raises further concerns about accountability within institutions tasked with safeguarding public finances.
The AGSA is constitutionally and legally mandated, under the Public Audit Act, 2004 (Act No. 25 of 2004), to investigate and report on financial misconduct. Its failure to do so in this case is inconsistent with the principles of accountability, openness, and responsiveness as outlined in Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
ActionSA therefore reiterates its call for the Auditor-General to:
Publicly confirm whether any investigation or special audit was conducted in relation to CENTLEC.
Release a formal report or summary detailing the process followed and any findings made.
Provide clarity on how it determined the allegations to be “false and baseless”; and
Reaffirm its constitutional duty to act in the public interest by ensuring full transparency.
The recent revelation that CENTLEC CEO, Mr. Malefane Sekoboto, allegedly attempted to fire CENTLEC spokesperson, Mr. Lele Mamatu, by presenting him with a fake resignation letter that he supposedly authored, only deepens the concern around CENTLEC’s internal operations.
Reports indicate that Mr. Sekoboto tried to coerce Mr. Mamatu into signing this falsified letter, an act that suggests panic at the highest levels of the utility. It is important to clarify that Mr. Mamatu did not leak any information to ActionSA. However, this incident confirms what we have long asserted: there is indeed damning information within CENTLEC that powerful individuals are desperately trying to conceal.
These actions lend credence to the whistleblower accounts we’ve received and further undermine any claim that ActionSA’s allegations are without merit. Instead of rebutting facts with institutional transparency, CENTLEC’s leadership appears more focused on silencing those who may know too much.
South Africans deserve more than dismissive denials. They deserve oversight institutions that are proactive, transparent, and open to scrutiny, especially when allegations of this magnitude arise. Until these matters are clarified through an open and credible process, ActionSA will continue to pursue answers on behalf of the public.
AGSA Denial on CENTLEC Allegations Raises More Questions Than Answers – ActionSA Maintains Call for Transparency
ActionSA notes the recent statement issued by the Auditor-General of South Africa (AGSA), in which it dismisses allegations of collusion with Mangaung’s power utility, CENTLEC, as “false and baseless.”
While we acknowledge the AGSA’s right to respond, its statement fails to engage substantively with the core issues raised. Moreover, we must make it clear: ActionSA is in possession of hard copy evidence and has received multiple whistleblower accounts detailing alleged manipulation of audit processes relating to CENTLEC. These are not claims made lightly, nor without a foundation in documented and corroborated testimony.
Despite the AGSA’s blanket denial, there remains no evidence of an internal or external process undertaken to assess or investigate these serious allegations. Specifically, the AGSA has not confirmed:
This lack of procedural transparency, even in the face of credible whistleblower inputs and documentary evidence, raises further concerns about accountability within institutions tasked with safeguarding public finances.
The AGSA is constitutionally and legally mandated, under the Public Audit Act, 2004 (Act No. 25 of 2004), to investigate and report on financial misconduct. Its failure to do so in this case is inconsistent with the principles of accountability, openness, and responsiveness as outlined in Section 195 of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996.
ActionSA therefore reiterates its call for the Auditor-General to:
The recent revelation that CENTLEC CEO, Mr. Malefane Sekoboto, allegedly attempted to fire CENTLEC spokesperson, Mr. Lele Mamatu, by presenting him with a fake resignation letter that he supposedly authored, only deepens the concern around CENTLEC’s internal operations.
Reports indicate that Mr. Sekoboto tried to coerce Mr. Mamatu into signing this falsified letter, an act that suggests panic at the highest levels of the utility. It is important to clarify that Mr. Mamatu did not leak any information to ActionSA. However, this incident confirms what we have long asserted: there is indeed damning information within CENTLEC that powerful individuals are desperately trying to conceal.
These actions lend credence to the whistleblower accounts we’ve received and further undermine any claim that ActionSA’s allegations are without merit. Instead of rebutting facts with institutional transparency, CENTLEC’s leadership appears more focused on silencing those who may know too much.
South Africans deserve more than dismissive denials. They deserve oversight institutions that are proactive, transparent, and open to scrutiny, especially when allegations of this magnitude arise. Until these matters are clarified through an open and credible process, ActionSA will continue to pursue answers on behalf of the public.