# Public Works and Infrastructure minister, Dean Macpherson, has determined that the Matjhabeng Municipality in the Free State did not misappropriate Expanded Public Works Programme funds for 2023/2024 and 2024/2025. This follows an investigation into allegations that the EPWP in the municipality was used to fund inflated salaries for former councillors and sitting political office bearers. The minister froze funding for EPWP projects after the allegations surfaced. Macpherson states that the investigation confirmed that all integrated grant allocations were spent on approved projects.
Minister Macpherson clears Matjhabeng Municipality over alleged misappropriation of EPWP funds