Matatiele Municipality Officials Accused of R1 Million Travel Allowance Fraud

Allegations of financial misconduct have surfaced within the Matatiele Local Municipality, where Acting Municipal Manager Nokhanyo Zembe and several councillors stand accused of improperly claiming travel allowances exceeding R1 million.
The claims were formally raised by Democratic Alliance (DA) councillor Wonga Potwana in a letter addressed to Eastern Cape MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta), Zolile Williams. According to Potwana, the disputed payments relate to a strategic planning session held in Durban in February 2026.
Potwana alleges that councillors received travel allowances without adhering to the municipality’s official Travelling Claim Policy. He claims that Zembe instructed councillors to submit only their vehicle licence discs as supporting documentation to process the claims. However, he argues that many councillors did not actually use their private vehicles to travel to Durban, despite receiving allowances intended for such use.
Citing provisions of the policy, Potwana highlighted that Section 7.11 allows the use of any vehicle registered with the Department of Transport, provided the user is a licensed driver. Section 7.13 further requires that a detailed logbook be completed for each trip, including odometer readings, travel dates, points of departure and arrival, and must be signed by both the driver and a supervisor.
Potwana contends that these requirements were not followed. “Many councillors did not travel to Durban with their vehicles, yet they claimed travel allowances, and these payments were approved by the Acting Municipal Manager,” he said.
He further alleged that some councillors who submitted claims do not even own vehicles and failed to provide sufficient supporting documentation. Potwana challenged those disputing his claims to produce additional proof, such as tollgate receipts or parking records from the hotel where attendees stayed.
In response, Speaker of Council Cllr Nonzwakazi Ngwanya, who co-signed the claims, stated that some councillors had submitted their claims with all required supporting documents. The Mayor also defended the payments, asserting that all procedures were properly followed.
Zembe dismissed the allegations, maintaining that all claims were processed in line with the Travelling Claim Policy. “Any suggestion that claims were processed outside policy provisions is incorrect. All claims undergo verification to ensure compliance, accountability, and sound financial management,” she said.
Despite these assurances, Potwana remains firm in his stance, insisting that the policy was not followed and that fraudulent claims were knowingly submitted. The matter now awaits further scrutiny from the relevant provincial authorities.

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