- DA welcomes investigation into Kgosi Mabalane for allegedly stealing R11 million from the National Skills Fund.
- Mabalane reportedly used the stolen funds for personal luxuries instead of student development.
- DA demands full transparency, recovery of stolen funds, and ongoing oversight.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes a Hawks investigation into a Chief in the North West Province, Kgosi Edward Mabalane, for what appears to be the theft of R11 million from the National Skills Fund.
The DA has written to the Minister of Police to ensure that the investigation proceeds without any delay and to request an undertaking in this regard.
The allegations against Kgosi Mabalane paint a picture of staggering arrogance and contempt for the people he was meant to serve.
According to reports, millions intended to fund student skills development were instead blown on personal luxuries – including a lavish shopping spree in Sandton where he spent R200 000 at Louis Vuitton, R100 000 at a Bryanston restaurant and R180 000 for a ring for his fiancée.
This is not just financial misconduct, but is a grotesque abuse of public trust.
While thousands of young South Africans go without access to proper housing, training, or employment opportunities, it appears that public money meant for their development was used to bankroll one man’s luxury lifestyle.
While traditional leaders’ crucial role to protect and advance culture, language and development in their area, their leadership must be built on a foundation of trust, respect, and service. By violating that trust, a traditional leader betrays the very people whose hopes they are entrusted to uphold.
The DA reiterates our call for full transparency in this investigation, and for any unlawfully acquired funds to be urgently recovered.
The DA will ensure proper oversight by regularly following up with the Hawks and law enforcement agencies to ensure that justice is served for every person denied the opportunity in participating in the skills development programme.
No one is above the law; not politicians, not public servants, and certainly not traditional leaders.