Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
Councils must follow set rules when they spend public money. In 2024-25, Buffalo City broke them on R1.14 billion of spending. Over the four years from 2021-22, the total was R10.69 billion. The Auditor-General gave these amounts to Parliament and in its 2024-25 report.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Slide 3: 'Irregular expenditure not prevented: R1,14 bn' and 'Unauthorised expenditure not prevented: R646,82 m'; slide 13: unauthorised expenditure 'mainly due to over expenditure of R532,94 million in respect of depreciation and amortisation'; slide 4: closing balance of irregular expenditure R11,63 bn; slide 4: 'Fruitless and wasteful expenditure (current year) R5,6 m'
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 204 (PDF page 208), Buffalo City dashboard: 'Irregular expenditure over administration R10,69bn (4 years)'; 'Unauthorised expenditure over administration R1,21bn (3 years)'
Parliamentary Monitoring Group. Published 18 February 2026.
Where to look: Section 'AG's report on Buffalo City Metro', second paragraph ('Irregular expenditure had reached R1.14 billion, and unauthorised expenditure R646.82 million'); later answer by Mr Nteta that procurement deviations 'totalling R641 million' were the main driver
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Princess Faku (ANC). Council run by ANC. From Mar 2023 to present.
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality. Published 27 March 2023.
Where to look: Lead paragraph ('elected as the new Mayor of Buffalo City Metro during the Special Council meeting on Thursday evening 23 March 2023'); paragraph 2 ('takes over from Cllr Xola Pakati who resigned on Monday 20 March')
SABC News. Published 23 March 2023.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 (Faku elected; Pakati 'resigned on Monday'; the ANC PEC 'recalled Pakati two weeks ago citing poor audit outcomes, wasteful expenditure and failure to collect revenue'); paragraph 3 ('62 votes against the 22 for Bentley'); paragraph 5 (EFF did not vote). Paragraph 2 is a linked video title.
Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC). Published 22 November 2021.
Where to look: Page 3 of 4, seat table: 'AFRICAN NATIONAL CONGRESS 61 43 18' (total, ward, PR seats); page 4: 'Total Party Seats 100 50 50'. Printed on 2021/11/22.
Daily Maverick. Published 1 October 2026.
Where to look: Buffalo City mayoral candidates section: 'The ANC has yet to confirm its candidate. The ANC has offered incumbent mayor Princess Faku, former deputy minister Nocawe Mafu, Simphiwe Dzengwa and Ncedo Kumbaca as its potential candidates.'
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