Gauteng PKTT arrests supplier tied to R16m Emfuleni fleet tender

The Gauteng Provincial Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) arrested a 40-year-old supplier on Thursday afternoon in Pretoria in connection with an investigation into an alleged R16 million Emfuleni Local Municipality fleet tender irregularity.

Who was arrested and why

Police did not name the suspect, although media reports have identified him as Mpho Edward Malema. The arrest relates to allegations that a service provider received almost R16 million after being awarded a contract to supply 18 municipal vehicles, including UD trucks and bakkies, to Emfuleni.

Allegations in the probe

A South African Police Service investigation found that only seven of the contracted vehicles were delivered despite full payment to the service provider. The supplier and his company, Maboela Foresty and Construction CC, were alleged to have been awarded the tender.

The arrested supplier has been charged with corruption, fraud and theft. He is due to appear before the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday, 7 September 2026.

Police comments and related arrests

“The arrest follows the earlier arrest of the municipality’s former fleet manager, who is currently out on bail in connection with the same investigation,”

said SAPS national spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe.

Separate Emfuleni electricity connections probe

The PKTT also made another arrest tied to a separate investigation into illegal electricity connections and theft of critical infrastructure at the Emfuleni Local Municipality. Police said this arrest forms part of ongoing investigations into a syndicate allegedly involved in those activities.

According to the police, that suspect was re-arrested shortly after being released on bail in an unrelated matter and is expected to make a first court appearance on Monday, 7 September 2026, facing charges of theft, damage to and theft of critical infrastructure, and money laundering. Brigadier Mathe said investigators are continuing to work to identify and apprehend all those involved.

What happens next

Both matters remain under active police investigation, with court appearances scheduled for Monday, 7 September 2026.