Mogalakwena municipal manager to appear in court over alleged R24m fleet payments

A Limpopo municipal manager is expected to appear in court over allegations that a fleet contract worth about R4 million resulted in payments totalling approximately R24 million, with prosecutors alleging that money was also transferred to a company linked to the official.

The municipal manager of Mogalakwena Local Municipality was arrested and is expected to appear in the Mokopane Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 9 October, on charges of fraud and corruption.

According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Mashudu Malabi, the allegations relate to the approval of a fleet contract and subsequent payments that allegedly caused financial losses to the municipality.

The case also involves an alleged R230,000 payment to a company owned by the municipal manager that operates in the fuel sales sector. Prosecutors allege the money was paid as gratification linked to the contract.

The allegations have not yet been tested in court.

R4 million contract linked to alleged R24 million payments

The NPA alleges that the municipal manager approved a fleet contract valued at approximately R4 million before authorising payments totalling around R24 million in connection with it.

Prosecutors say the transactions resulted in financial losses for Mogalakwena Local Municipality.

The alleged R230,000 transfer to the official’s company forms part of the corruption allegations. The NPA has described the payment as alleged gratification connected to the contract.

Further details about the payment process and the specific charges are expected to emerge as the case progresses through court.

Separate Limpopo tender case involves R11 million

The Mogalakwena case comes amid another municipal procurement matter in Limpopo involving an alleged irregular security services tender worth more than R11 million.

The municipal manager of Blouberg Municipality, Refilwe Jonas Ramothwala, 57, appeared at the Senwabarwana Magistrate’s Court alongside two directors of BBT Security Services (Pty) Ltd, Sello Herlot Mongalo, 37, and Ngoako Nicolas Thoka, 39.

The trio were arrested on 23 September 2026 following an investigation into the awarding and implementation of a security services contract.

According to the NPA, Blouberg Municipality awarded the tender to BBT Security Services in March 2023 after the company allegedly submitted fraudulent tender documents.

Prosecutors allege the company did not meet key technical requirements in the tender specifications, including requirements concerning ownership of the firearms needed to provide the contracted security services.

Despite the alleged shortcomings, the company continued providing security services to the municipality and received payments over approximately three years.

The NPA said those payments amounted to more than R11 million.

Accused face multiple charges

Ramothwala, Mongalo and Thoka collectively face 73 charges, including theft, fraud and money laundering.

The allegations in the Blouberg matter are separate from those involving Mogalakwena Municipality. Both cases concern alleged wrongdoing linked to municipal contracts and public funds.

The court proceedings will determine how the cases progress and whether the allegations can be proven.

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Source: IOL