KZN Municipal Manager Caught in A Corruption Sting
UTHUKELA MM CAUGHT IN R100K BRIBE TRAP, THEN TRIES TO BUY HAWKS FOR R600K
By TQ Correspondent
The water does not run in Uthukela, but the bribes do.
In a sting that reads like a textbook on municipal rot, Uthukela District Municipality Municipal Manager Langelihle Sphiwekuhle Jili, 46, was arrested by the Hawks on Wednesday after allegedly demanding R100,000 from a service provider to release payment for work already done.
And when the Hawks moved in, he allegedly tried to buy his way out — offering the officers R600,000 cash to make the docket disappear.
His alleged runner, Bongumenzi Dlamini, 26, then arrived at the Hawks offices in Durban with the R600,000 in cash. He was arrested on the spot.
Both appeared in the Durban Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday. Jili faces three counts of corruption with an alternative charge of extortion. Dlamini faces two counts. The R600,000 has been seized as an exhibit and referred to Asset Forfeiture.
They were remanded in custody to 27 October for bail application.
The R600K Hawks Bribe
Hawks KZN spokesperson Lt-Col Simphiwe Mhlongo said the service provider reported Jili's demand.
"The matter was reported to the Hawks members for intensive investigation and an undercover operation was conducted," Mhlongo said. "Jili was arrested after taking R100,000 from the service provider. During his arrest, Jili offered the police officers gratification of R600,000 and he made arrangements for cash to be delivered at the Hawks offices in Durban."
Dlamini arrived with the cash. He was placed under arrest.
Running on Tanks
Uthukela District Municipality sits in northern KwaZulu-Natal, headquartered in Ladysmith. It is the water authority for three local municipalities — Alfred Duma (Ladysmith), Inkosi Langalibalele (Estcourt) and Okhahlamba (Bergville) — covering towns from Bergville, Winterton and Weenen to Colenso, Estcourt and Wembezi.
For five years, residents have lived on tankers. From Ezakheni and Steadville to Emahashini and Wembezi, taps have run dry for weeks at a time. In August 2025, KZN Cogta found its infrastructure in unsatisfactory condition due to inadequate maintenance and vandalism.
The municipality has been governed by the Inkatha Freedom Party since the 1 November 2021 local government elections, when the IFP took it from the ANC. Mayor is Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala. It governs with DA support in a coalition of IFP six seats, ANC five, DA one, APEMO one and EFF one. The IFP says water problems are 10 years old and predate its takeover.
History of Scandals
Jili's arrest is not an isolated incident.
In March this year, the municipality's bank accounts were attached by court order after failing to pay RASP Consultants CC over R100-million for water plant maintenance. Workers went unpaid. The ANC alleged the municipality then laundered funds through its entity, Uthukela Economic Development Agency, to pay February salaries without council approval, in contravention of the MFMA.
The DA says since Jili was appointed, the municipality incurred R1.3-billion in unauthorised, wasteful and fruitless expenditure while residents have no water. "We opposed his hiring because of history of theft and corruption under his watch in IFP-led municipalities," said DA uThukela chair Thys Janse van Rensburg.
A forensic report by SD Moloi and Associates alleged irregular procurement of bodyguards for the mayor and speaker worth over R10-million. In 2022, the ANC marched after an audio clip allegedly captured an IFP councillor engaging in a sexual act with a municipal employee in return for renewing her contract. The municipality was placed under Section 139 administration in August 2018 and has never fully recovered.
Behind Bars
For now, Jili and Dlamini remain behind bars. Uthukela Municipality says it noted circulating media reports and will not comment until verified facts are established.
But in Ladysmith, Estcourt and Bergville, the question remains: if a municipal manager can allegedly find R600,000 cash to bribe the Hawks in hours, why can he not find water for his people?
As Jili and his alleged runner remain behind bars until their next court appearance on Tuesday (27 October 2026), it is not clear what actions, if any, uThukela District Municipality would take. TQ
SIDEBAR:
UTHUKELA — BY THE NUMBERS
WHERE IS IT LOCATED?
Headquarters: Ladysmith. Covers Alfred Duma (Ladysmith), Inkosi Langalibalele (Estcourt), Okhahlamba (Bergville). Towns: Ladysmith, Estcourt, Bergville, Winterton, Weenen, Colenso, Wembezi, Ezakheni.
WHO GOVERNS IT?
UThukela District Municipality has been governed IFP-led coalition since November 2021. Mayor: Inkosi Ntandoyenkosi Shabalala. Took over from ANC. Seats: IFP 6, ANC 5, DA 1, APEMO 1, EFF 1.
AUDIT OUTCOME
Seven consecutive qualified audits. Last clean: never. Qualification items: Service Charges, General Expenditure, Water Losses, Commitments, Contracted Services.
Its Finances
R1.2-billion consumer debt. R1.314-billion accumulated unauthorised, irregular, fruitless and wasteful. 65% water losses. 13 years of going-concern uncertainty — serious doubt it can survive. Only six municipalities in SA are worse: Dihlabeng, Mafube, Matjhabeng (16 years), Matlosana, Lekwa Teemane (14 years).
How uThukela Rates
The Best Performing municipality in South Africa is the Swartland 90% (A), followed by George 87.5% (A). Best in KZN: King Cetshwayo District, Okhahlamba Local (8 consecutive clean audits). Worst in SA: Ditsobotla, Makana, Nketoana — 8 years disclaimer. Uthukela sits in bottom 25% of 257 municipalities. Better than disclaimer group, worse than 75% of country. Similar to uMzinyathi District and Amathole DM.
Service delivery failures
Worst performer in KZN for Green Drop (waste water). Cannot produce tanker distribution plan. Relies on tankers for Ezakheni, Steadville, Emahashini, Wembezi.
OVERALL RATING: 1.5 / 10 — DISTRESSED, NOT YET DYSFUNCTIONAL. TQ
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