SWELLENDAM – Swellendam Municipality has launched yet another independent forensic investigation, marking the fourth probe of its kind in little more than a year, according to information obtained by News62.
This latest investigation relates to allegations involving ANC Chief Whip Amanda Swart, which includes an allegation that she threatened to assault a traffic official.
The investigation was brought to News62’s attention after Henri de Backer of Morar Incorporated attempted to arrange a meeting with this publication.
De Backer told News62 that he wanted to establish the identity of sources who had disclosed information concerning statements allegedly made by Swart at a public meeting held at Forts Haven Hall in Barrydale on August 11.
News62 subsequently published an open letter to Swellendam Municipality Speaker Toit Loubser, who indicated that the matter would be dealt with.
News62 has made it clear that it will not disclose the identities of confidential sources.
Despite the municipality already being in possession of statements from senior officials who attended the August 11 meeting, Council opted to appoint an independent service provider to investigate the matter.
According to information available to News62, this latest investigation is expected to cost more than R150,000. News62 understands that the expenditure did not require a separate Council approval because it fell below the applicable threshold for such procurement.
The latest investigation comes amid growing questions about the municipality’s handling of previous forensic investigations and whether their findings have been acted upon.
News62 has established that at least three other forensic investigations have been conducted during the period under review. Questions still remain about what action was taken following their respective findings and recommendations.
Those questions have become particularly relevant following information received by News62 concerning the Mubesko investigation into traffic-fine irregularities.
Municipal records confirm that Mubesko Africa was appointed in September 2025 to conduct a forensic investigation into traffic-fine irregularities at a cost of R396,000. The municipality said at the time that concerns had emerged regarding the administration and processing of traffic fines, revenue collection, data integrity and procedural compliance.
News62 has been provided with information from the Mubesko report indicating that precautionary action, including the suspension of three senior municipal officials, was recommended.
According to information received by News62, the DA lead Council subsequently resolved not to implement the recommendations and another service provider was appointed to investigate aspects of the same matter. The cost of this exercise has not yet been made publicly available.
The municipality has since tasked Municipal Manager Anneleen Vorster with providing a progress report on externally commissioned forensic investigations, the implementation of findings and related financial-misconduct investigations arising from those forensic processes. She is expected to do so at a general council meetin that is scheduled to take place today (September 30).
The issue is particularly significant because Swellendam Municipality has historically been regarded as a strong performer in terms of its Auditor-General audit outcomes.
However, the latest round of investigations, together with questions surrounding the implementation of previous forensic findings, raises questions about whether that record can be maintained.
The Auditor-General’s 2024/25 national local-government report shows that only 21 of the Western Cape’s 30 municipalities achieved an unqualified audit with no findings, commonly referred to as a clean audit.
Whether Swellendam will retain its clean-audit status will ultimately depend on the findings of the Auditor-General’s audit and should not be prejudged.
News62 has put questions to Swellendam Municipality and Morar Incorporated regarding the latest investigation, its cost, the appointment process, the allegations under investigation, the Mubesko findings and the implementation of recommendations from previous forensic investigations.
