DITSOBOTLA, North West — Ditsobotla Municipal Manager Olaotse Bojosinyane has firmly rejected recent criminal charges of financial mismanagement laid against him by the Democratic Alliance (DA), calling the allegations unfair and unsupported by credible evidence. The political party recently singled out Bojosinyane and Ngaka Modiri Molema District Municipality’s Municipal Manager Olehile Allan Loshaba among ten municipal managers accused of poor performance and financial irregularities.
Addressing claims that he is responsible for nine consecutive years of disclaimer audit outcomes, Bojosinyane clarified that he only assumed office in July 2024. He argued it is factually inaccurate to hold him singularly responsible for the municipality’s historical financial challenges, noting that the institution had struggled with submitting annual financial statements in previous years, leading to past material irregularities.
Since taking office, Bojosinyane stated that the municipality has made significant strides in financial governance. He highlighted that his team successfully submitted two sets of annual financial statements simultaneously, directly addressing past compliance failures. “Currently, we are cruising nicely with regard to annual financial statements,” Bojosinyane asserted. He added that these stabilization efforts align with the national intervention framework, which Cooperative Governance Minister Venosini Clabisa recently acknowledged as showing measurable progress.
Beyond financial reporting, the Municipal Manager pointed to improved operational stability on the ground. He noted that over the past 12 months, the municipality has been free from the riots, strikes, and violence that previously plagued the area, and that employee morale has been actively restored under the current intervention team.
Bojosinyane also systematically dismantled specific DA allegations. He challenged claims that the municipality failed to budget for tens of thousands of indigent households (referenced in the allegations as 39,000 to 59,000 households) despite receiving R115 million. He firmly denied ever receiving such funds, challenging the DA to provide the specific financial year, nature, and purpose of the alleged allocation to give the claim proper factual and legal context.
Furthermore, he rejected claims of a R2.87 million financial loss attributed to his personal mismanagement. Bojosinyane emphasized the critical legal distinction between an audit finding, irregular expenditure, material irregularity, and actual criminal conduct or personal liability. He stated that such matters require formal investigation and adjudication, noting there is currently no factual proof to support the allegations.
While welcoming lawful investigation and pledging full cooperation with appropriate institutions, Bojosinyane stressed that laying criminal charges does not equate to a conviction. He warned against political publications transforming unsubstantiated allegations into declarations of criminality, arguing that such actions unlawfully damage his reputation and dignity.
To ensure long-term transparency and prevent future issues, Bojosinyane highlighted the recent establishment of an external audit committee and a fraud committee—oversight structures that were previously absent in the municipality. These bodies will provide continuous scrutiny of the municipal manager’s conduct and financial decisions.
Bojosinyane concluded by reaffirming his commitment to the community, pledging his knowledge and experience to support the minister’s intervention and ensure that residents finally receive the services they deserve. He stated that his legacy will ultimately be judged by the upcoming Auditor-General outcomes and the sustained, long-term stabilization of the Ditsobotla Local Municipality.
