A former legal manager at the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality has been arrested by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation over alleged fraud and corruption linked to a controversial tender. The 40-year-old suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 15 April.
Thi is part of a broader investigation by the Hawks into suspected collusion between municipal officials and service providers to manipulate procurement processes for personal gain.
According to the Hawks, the case relates to events between 2016 and 2017, when the suspect allegedly facilitated the unlawful appointment of a service provider to supply software known as Ripjar to a municipal division described as “crime intelligence”.
Investigators allege that the appointment was approved despite the service provider not meeting the requirements set out in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). This allegedly compromised procurement processes and resulted in financial losses for the municipality.
The Hawks said the municipality suffered a financial prejudice of about R686,000. The suspect is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 April, facing charges of fraud and corruption.
Acting provincial head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Lesiba Meshack Malapile, said the unit would continue targeting corruption in the public sector.
“We are unapologetic in pursuing justice. The Hawks will expose, dismantle and bring to book all those who seek to loot state resources,” he said.
The investigation forms part of ongoing efforts to clamp down on corruption within municipalities across the province.
