DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Serious questions regarding recruitment integrity have emerged within the eThekwini Municipality following allegations of a jobs-for-cash scandal involving the Durban Metro Police. As the municipality confirms that criminal charges are being pursued, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu has stepped forward, alleging deep-rooted corruption and demanding swift intervention from national law […]
DURBAN, KwaZulu-Natal — Serious questions regarding recruitment integrity have emerged within the eThekwini Municipality following allegations of a jobs-for-cash scandal involving the Durban Metro Police. As the municipality confirms that criminal charges are being pursued, uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu has stepped forward, alleging deep-rooted corruption and demanding swift intervention from national law enforcement.
According to Mahlangu, the alleged scheme specifically targets vulnerable, young job seekers. He detailed instances where a 24-year-old applicant was demanded an upfront payment of 5,000 rand to secure employment, followed by an ongoing extortion of 5,000 rand every month from her 15,000 rand salary. Payments were allegedly funneled into personal accounts or handed over in cash outside retail shops.
While the municipality has stated that the matter is under active investigation, the MKP has expressed deep skepticism about the city’s ability to police itself. Mahlangu argued that the “rot” extends from the city manager down to the lower ranks, implicating high-level politicians and rendering internal investigations ineffective.
To substantiate these claims, Mahlangu revealed that the MKP has been approached by whistleblowers who have provided both audio and video evidence of an official demanding funds in exchange for employment guarantees. The party has reportedly identified seven individuals linked to the scheme, three of whom are described as very senior municipal officials.
“We have engaged the SAPS and the Hawks, and we hope they will respond,” Mahlangu stated, emphasizing that the cases have been formally opened. He expressed hope that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will act speedily, despite concerns about the political affiliations of certain provincial leadership figures.
The spokesperson contextualized the eThekwini allegations within a broader pattern of municipal corruption across South Africa. He referenced similar “jobs for pals” and ghost worker scandals in the City of Johannesburg and the Mangaung municipality, noting that Mangaung once employed 53 ghost workers at a cost of over 7 million rand per month to taxpayers.
In a direct appeal to the public, Mahlangu urged any individual who has been asked to pay for a municipal job in KwaZulu-Natal or elsewhere to come forward, gather evidence, and report the matter to the police.
Looking ahead to the November 5, 2026 elections, the MK Party framed the scandal as a pivotal governance issue. Mahlangu promised that an MKP-led administration would “clean it out,” imprison the guilty, and restore service delivery.
Concluding the discussion, Mahlangu praised the efforts of provincial police leadership, specifically highlighting the work of General Mkhwanazi in driving accountability. He further called on the Madlanga Commission to act decisively on its findings, warning that the public expects tangible accountability and imprisonment for wrongdoers, rather than the perceived inaction that followed previous inquiries like the Zondo Commission.
The eThekwini Municipality has not yet released further details, maintaining that its internal investigation must run its course before additional comments can be made.
