Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein — Barely months after the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) warned Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality (MAP LM) about its excessive use of lawyers, it appears little has changed.
A leaked quarterly report paints a picture of what could be described as a municipal budget being thrown around like a javelin.
In January, the municipality spent R110 million, while by March the figure had almost doubled to R186 million, excluding February.
A significant chunk of this expenditure went to legal firms.
The first law firm to be paid in 2026 was none other than Zwelibanzi Ngququ Incorporated, which received R449,302.50.
The firm represents Teboho “Sulky” Mokoena, the MEC for COGTA and Human Settlements. The firm previously attempted to gag us from referring to Mokoena by “Sulky” name, but we refused to be silenced.
Another law firm that appears to be making substantial money from MAP LM is Limpopo-based Phambane Mokone Attorneys.
On 16 January, the firm received two payments; R892,976.00 and R291,588.00.
Phambane Mokone Attorneys is the law firm involved in the dissolution of MAP Water. One of its partners also advised the Municipal Manager to stop the salaries of staff at the MAP Water, according to information in our possession.
Zwelibanzi Ngququ Incorporated received a further R344,772.50 on 22 January, while Honey Attorneys received R239,269.39.
The payments to other law firms pale in comparison with those made to the firms mentioned above.
Noge Attorneys received R59,000 and R40,000 on 18 March, while Phatsoane Henry Attorneys received R22,961.48 and R51,744.28 on 20 March 2026.
In an ideal world, this level of expenditure on external legal services would raise serious questions, particularly considering that the municipality has no fewer than three advocates in its employ.
Our investigation is now attempting to establish links between the law firms that began receiving work from MAP LM following the appointment of Advocate Mofokeng and the circumstances surrounding their appointments.
The investigation will also examine the law firm representing convicted criminal Lejwe Mofokeng and establish who is paying for his legal representation in the firearm-pointing case.
MAP Local Municipality remains one of the worst-performing municipalities in the country.
Maluti-A-Phofung: the place of milk and honey for law firms.
This is a developing story.
Support Independent Journalism
Stories like this matter. Accountability matters. Truth matters.
If you believe in fearless, independent reporting that holds power to account, help us keep going.
Your contribution, even as little as R10 makes a difference.
Choane Group (Pty) Ltd
FNB: 63110371703
If you have news or tips please email news@stepupsanews.co.za or WhatsApp: 068 507 6731
Independent. Unbought. Unfiltered.
More Stories
R800 000 to Have a Meeting
VIDEO | PA is ‘the last hope’ for Mangaung, says campaign manager Hloni Mahapane
Mmabana Cultural Centre proves Mangope was right as Centlec switches off lights over R1.6 million debt