{"id":116314,"date":"2026-07-08T14:55:58","date_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:55:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/?p=116314"},"modified":"2026-07-08T14:56:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-08T14:56:00","slug":"afriforum-sees-red-over-eff-members-misuse-of-tshwane-metro-resources","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/en\/afriforum-sees-red-over-eff-members-misuse-of-tshwane-metro-resources\/","title":{"rendered":"AfriForum sees red over EFF member\u2019s misuse of Tshwane Metro resources"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Llewellynn-Hemmens_8-July-2026_ENG.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soundbite: Llewellynn Hemmens (English)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-audio\"><audio controls src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Llewellynn-Hemmens_8-Julie-2026_AFR.mp3\"><\/audio><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Soundbite: Llewellynn Hemmens (Afrikaans)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>A sea of \u200b\u200bred \u2013 typical of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) brand \u2013 has for months defined the official municipal marketing materials of the EFF\u2019s Obakeng Ramabodu, a member of the Mayoral Committee for Environment and Agriculture Management in the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. While these official communications are that of the Tshwane Metro, AfriForum maintains that they represent a clear misuse of municipal resources to boost Ramabodu\u2019s own political profile.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The civil rights organisation has therefore formally requested the Metro today to investigate Ramabodu\u2019s apparent misuse of the Metro\u2019s official communication channels, municipal resources, and taxpayers\u2019 money, and to report on the matter within seven days. AfriForum also requested the Metro to indicate whether Ramabodu\u2019s communication complies with the Metro\u2019s communication policy, the code of conduct for councillors, and applicable legislation, and whether adequate measures are in place to prevent similar incidents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AfriForum\u2019s revelation regarding Ramabodu\u2019s prolonged misuse follows a similar complaint lodged by the civil rights organisation with the Metro last month concerning the publication of an official cleanup notice. This notice was issued following the EFF\u2019s Youth Day celebration at the Union Buildings. It announced that the Metro would undertake a cleanup operation at the site after a so-called \u201csuccessful public EEF event\u201d [sic]. The notice, bearing the Metro\u2019s logo, was designed in the distinctive colours of the EFF.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1020\" data-id=\"116317\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/A-1-1024x1020.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-116317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/A-1-1024x1020.jpeg 1024w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/A-1-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/A-1-150x150.jpeg 150w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/A-1-768x765.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/A-1.jpeg 1079w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"116321\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-116321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/B.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" data-id=\"116319\" src=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-116319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C-1536x1536.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/C.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<figcaption class=\"blocks-gallery-caption wp-element-caption\"><em>Some of Ramabodu&#8217;s official notices.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, this notice was not an isolated incident. Upon closer investigation, AfriForum has since discovered a series of similar official Metro notices from Ramabodu that were circulated on social media. These notices promote various Tshwane Metro programmes and campaigns, including service delivery initiatives, clean-up drives, feedback sessions, the State of the City Address, and other official municipal communications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to Llewellynn Hemmens, AfriForum\u2019s Spokesperson for Pretoria, each of these notices serves as an inherent promotion of the EFF, despite the fact that they constitute official Metro communications. \u201cWe are dealing here with a persistent pattern of abuse, where the line between official government communication and political marketing has become blurred,\u201d Hemmens explains.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe cannot allow political parties to misuse taxpayers\u2019 money, municipal staff, and official communication for their own political gain. Every cent that residents pay to the Metro should be used for service delivery \u2013 not for political self-promotion. When official municipal communication and resources are used to promote the image of an individual politician, residents\u2019 trust is violated and the principle of a politically impartial public administration is undermined.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cNo one, regardless of their political office or position, may use municipal resources for personal or party-political gain. If this conduct is allowed to continue, it sets a dangerous precedent where taxpayers effectively fund political campaigns,\u201d Hemmens concludes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">AfriForum has given the Metro seven working days to confirm that a formal investigation has been launched and to provide feedback on the process. Should no satisfactory response be received, the organisation will consider further administrative and legal steps to enforce accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/USE-OF-MUNICIPAL-RESOURCES-AND-OFFICIAL-COMMUNICATION-PLATFORMS-FOR-POLITICAL-PARTY-PURPOSES-2-1.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of USE OF MUNICIPAL RESOURCES AND OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS FOR POLITICAL PARTY PURPOSES (2).\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-58dd05c9-0dd1-4fe5-834b-1b22dead3845\" href=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/USE-OF-MUNICIPAL-RESOURCES-AND-OFFICIAL-COMMUNICATION-PLATFORMS-FOR-POLITICAL-PARTY-PURPOSES-2-1.pdf\">USE OF MUNICIPAL RESOURCES AND OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION PLATFORMS FOR POLITICAL PARTY PURPOSES (2)<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.artikels.afriforum.co.za\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/USE-OF-MUNICIPAL-RESOURCES-AND-OFFICIAL-COMMUNICATION-PLATFORMS-FOR-POLITICAL-PARTY-PURPOSES-2-1.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-58dd05c9-0dd1-4fe5-834b-1b22dead3845\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A sea of \u200b\u200bred \u2013 typical of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) brand \u2013 has for months defined the official&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":109,"featured_media":116315,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","_seopress_robots_follow":"","_seopress_robots_imageindex":"","_seopress_robots_snippet":"","_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_robots_breadcrumbs":"","_seopress_robots_freeze_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_custom_modified_date":"","_seopress_robots_canonical":"","_seopress_social_fb_title":"","_seopress_social_fb_desc":"","_seopress_social_fb_img":"","_seopress_social_fb_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_fb_img_height":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_title":"","_seopress_social_twitter_desc":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img":"","_seopress_social_twitter_img_attachment_id":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_width":0,"_seopress_social_twitter_img_height":0,"_seopress_redirections_value":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled":"","_seopress_redirections_enabled_regex":"","_seopress_redirections_logged_status":"","_seopress_redirections_param":"","_seopress_redirections_type":0,"_seopress_analysis_target_kw":"","_seopress_news_disabled":"","_seopress_video_disabled":"","_seopress_video":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas_manual":[],"_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable_all":"","_seopress_pro_rich_snippets_disable":[],"_seopress_pro_schemas":[],"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":"","_members_access_role":[],"_members_access_error":""},"categories":[11177,11162],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-116314","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-community-affairs-media-statements","category-media-statements"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":11177,"label":"Community 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