Mokoena cooked, fried and grilled for obscurity

Staff reporter

Durban – The MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) and Human Settlements, Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena, has found himself on the receiving end of a social media backlash after what appeared to be a public relations exercise turned into a public relations disaster.

The controversy erupted after Mokoena handed over a brand-new BMW 5 Series to Morena Montoeli Mota under the department’s “Restore Dignity” programme and shared photographs of the handover on Facebook.

According to the department, the luxury vehicle is intended to serve as a “tool of trade” for the traditional leader.

However, the announcement was met with fierce criticism from members of the public, many of whom questioned the wisdom of such expenditure amid pressing service delivery challenges.

One of the first comments came from Mike Kontsi, who asked:

“Should we clap our hands for this?😂😂😂”

Saki Ndo Matlala was equally unimpressed, writing:

“So dignity ya Morena is restored ka koloi… we still have a long way to go.”

Tshepo Budu Davids questioned the practical value of the purchase, asking:

“If I may ask, how will this car be beneficial to the community?”

Kgotso Mopheme Mpete warned of political consequences, saying:

“This is an insult and embarrassment to taxpayers. The money could have been used for the poor. We will meet at the voting station.”

But it was Portia Pietersen whose lengthy criticism appeared to capture the mood of many commentators.

“There was no compelling need for this expenditure. The community of Tsheseng continues to face pressing challenges such as inadequate infrastructure, unemployment, housing shortages and limited access to basic services,” she wrote.

“The funds used to purchase this vehicle could arguably have been directed toward projects that deliver a more tangible benefit to residents.

“At a time when resources are constrained, government priorities should focus on addressing critical social and economic challenges rather than funding luxury items.”

The online backlash comes at a time when government spending is increasingly coming under scrutiny, with many South Africans demanding greater accountability and improved service delivery rather than symbolic gestures that appear disconnected from the realities facing ordinary communities.

Qwaqwa residents have for years cried for services including housing, there goes Mokoena handing a 5 series to Morena.

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