18/11/2025
RATLOU MAYOR FACES FRESH ALLEGATIONS OF VEHICLE MISUSE
SETLAGOLE - In a municipality already reeling from strikes, court battles, and corruption scandals, Ratlou Local Municipality Mayor, Councillor Matlhomola Ronald Jafta, has been accused of misusing his official vehicle for personal and political purposes.
The claims, raised by an anonymous resident and now under internal review, highlight potential breaches of municipal policy and add fuel to criticisms of governance in the ANC-dominated council.
The resident, a parent who encounters the mayor daily at a private School in Mahikeng, alleged that Jafta routinely drives the taxpayer-funded mayoral vehicle to drop off his child each morning. The vehicle is reportedly used to transport African National Congress (ANC) "comrades" to branch general meetings (BGMs), activities that appear to straddle the line between official duties and party business.
"I see him every day at the school gate with that municipal car," the resident told Morongwa News. And he's ferrying party members around like it's a taxi for ANC events. This isn't what our rates are for."
Ratlou's Utilization of the Mayoral and Speaker Vehicles policy strictly limits the vehicle's use to "reasonable official purposes" (Section 6.1), mandating it as transport for official functions or meetings where the mayor's attendance is required in his official capacity (Section 6.9). Passenger restrictions are clear: only the mayor, spouse (for official events), bodyguard, or driver are permitted (Section 6.8), with a blanket prohibition on any other uses (Section 6.10).
Political duties like ANC BGMs do not explicitly qualify as "official," creating what critics call a policy loophole. "The document ties usage to the mayor's role as such, not as a party operative," noted former Ratlou employee
"Transporting multiple comrades would violate passenger rules outright, and school runs are purely personal."
The resident's daily sightings at a fee-paying private school underscore the personal nature of the alleged misuse, potentially exposing the municipality to audits under the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).
Morongwa News contacted municipal spokesperson Lesego Metsi on November 9 for comment. In a reply received late on November 11, Metsi acknowledged the query but deferred an official stance, citing hierarchical constraints.
"Good morning, Mr. Lobelo, my apology for reverting to you so late," Metsi wrote. "I'm still waiting for the response from higher authorities before giving you an official response on your media query regarding the alleged misuse of the Municipal vehicle allocated to the mayor. You will remember that in terms of lines of reporting, the mayor does not account to the Municipal Manager. The MM is the one accounting to the mayor instead. The MM is not above the board, and there cannot singularly and without consultation decide on the matter. However, he has to follow the relevant processes of escalating the matter to relevant authorities where the mayor accounts. We hope to provide you with relevant answers once this matter has received attention."
Metsi did not specify the "higher authorities" possibly the Municipal Council, the Speaker's office, or the provincial Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) nor provide a timeline.
In a subsequent inquiry from Morongwa News on November 12, Metsi was asked for details on the escalation process, interim monitoring, and vehicle logs. No response had been received at the time of publishing this srticle.
These allegations come against a backdrop of deepening turmoil in Ratlou, a rural Category B municipality serving residents across 14 wards.
Jafta, an ANC councillor for Ward 3 since his early career, was elected mayor amid promises of stability and development, including infrastructure, tourism, and youth programs.Yet, 2025 has been marked by strife.
In June, municipal employees downed tools, accusing leadership including Jafta, Municipal Manager Lloyd Leoko, and ANC office-bearers of nepotism, unfair hiring, and financial mismanagement. Unions SAMWU and IMATU demanded lifestyle audits after revelations of R730,000 spent on 22 overpriced laptops for managers.
In March, residents in Madibogo and Setlagole clashed with police over service delivery failures, vandalizing roads, and demanding water and sanitation. Jafta condemned the violence but faced backlash for inadequate responses.
High Court rulings in February interdicted special council meetings for procedural flaws and dismissed urgent applications by the municipality, citing failures to prove exceptional circumstances. Cases involved censorship claims against the Speaker and fractious relations with the Municipal Manager.
Echoing a 2023 Special Investigating Unit (SIU) report on irregular PPE payments and ghost projects, like millions for unbuilt roads and stadiums, the North West Legislature slammed Ratlou in 2023 for inaction against implicated officials, including ties to Jafta. Jafta pledged accountability then, but critics say progress has stalled.
Spokesperson Metsi, a familiar voice in Ratlou's communications since at least 2011, has previously touted improvements like skills audits and infrastructure spending. Yet, with the ANC holding 19 of 27 council seats alongside EFF (3), F4SD (3), DA (1), and UCDP (1), opposition voices like F4SD Councillor Gaolatlhe Mokgope have decried a "malicious culture" of favouritism.
Opposition leaders and community groups are demanding an independent probe.
Jafta, who in June launched the Ratlou Mayoral Cup to engage youth and combat substance abuse, has positioned himself as a champion of development. But with local elections approaching in 2026, residents like the anonymous complainant are voicing frustration. "We're tired of embattled leaders. Fix the pipes, not the perks."
As the matter escalates to "higher authorities," Ratlou residents await clarity.
Morongwa News will continue monitoring developments.
