Enoch Mgijima Municipality has dismissed two employees linked to a pension payout scandal estimated to have cost the municipality at least R13 million.
Nine employees were suspended in connection with the matter, while a criminal case was opened with the South African Police Service.
Seven of the suspended employees allegedly obtained pension payouts, while two are implicated in facilitating the irregular withdrawals.
The municipality says the alleged irregularities occurred during the 2022/23 and 2023/24 financial years, when employees allegedly claimed pension benefits on the basis that they had resigned.
After receiving the payouts, they subsequently changed their pension funds, despite no resignation notifications being received by the Municipal Manager.
Disciplinary hearings for the remaining employees implicated in the matter are expected to take place between August and September.
The municipality says the matter remains under investigation and has assured the public that allegations of fraud and corruption will be investigated and that decisive action will be taken against anyone found responsible.
