Ekurhuleni CIO suspended amid R2 billion billing scandal
Ekurhuleni CIO suspended amid R2 billion billing scandal! The City of Ekurhuleni’s Chief Information Officer, Moloko Monyepao, has been officially suspended following serious allegations of negligence that resulted in a R2 billion revenue shortfall.
Billing System Breach Sparks Investigation
The revenue loss was recorded in the first quarter of the current financial year after a critical failure in the city’s billing system. The malfunction enabled over 1,600 municipal accounts—belonging to both households and businesses—to be tampered with. In many cases, this led to outstanding balances being erased or drastically reduced.
Monyepao, who leads the city’s Information and Communication Technology (ICT) department, is accused of failing to maintain proper oversight of the billing system, allowing irregularities to continue undetected for months.
Ekurhuleni CIO suspended
Negligence or Involvement?
The fraudulent activity reportedly began in July 2023 and continued until the city flagged the revenue discrepancies. Monyepao was last week given seven days to justify why he should not be suspended, following a report by Eyewitness News (EWN).
His suspension has now been confirmed as part of a broader effort to preserve the integrity of the investigation, which includes an independent audit by the Auditor-General.
Potential Syndicate Under Scrutiny
Authorities are now investigating whether Monyepao may have been knowingly or unknowingly involved in a potential syndicate that manipulated the billing system. Questions remain over how such extensive tampering could go unnoticed by the ICT department under his leadership.
Residents Must Repay Undercharges
The City has announced that all affected account holders will be required to repay the amounts they were undercharged, adding further pressure to households and businesses in the metro.
In other news – Mhlo Gumede responds to polygamy rumours involving wife Zandie Khumalo
Former record label executive Mhlo Gumede has addressed swirling rumours about his personal life, particularly reports suggesting his wife, singer Zandie Khumalo-Gumede, may soon accept a second wife into their marriage. “I can’t comment on the Gumede affairs in the media, I’ve never and will not stoop so low to make premature comments on my household,” said Gumede in response to growing speculation.
The rumours claim that Nonjabulo Mdluli, the niece of late Ukhozi FM presenter and Crown Gospel Awards founder Zanele Mbokazi-Nkambule, is set to become Gumede’s second wife. Speculation around the polygamous arrangement first surfaced last year. Read More
