Pule Mabe fraud case postponed as R27m ‘tuk-tuk’ scandal grips Ekurhuleni

Former ANC national spokesperson Pule Mabe’s fraud and theft case has once again been pushed back, with the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court setting a new date of 18 February 2026.

Mabe, along with six co-accused, is facing charges linked to a R27 million tender scandal that has raised fresh questions about governance and accountability in Gauteng.

The tuk-tuk project that never delivered

The controversy dates back to 2017, when Mabe’s company, Enviro Mobi, won a contract to supply 200 small waste-collection vehiclesbetter known as “tuk-tuks”to assist 58 waste pickers in the Ekurhuleni municipality.

The project was billed as an innovative way to tackle urban waste management while creating jobs. But instead of boosting livelihoods, the tender has become a symbol of broken promises and alleged corruption, with millions of rands now unaccounted for.

Adding to the scandal, more than R6 million in storage fees were allegedly paid by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD), raising further red flags about how public funds were handled.

Court proceedings and SIU intervention

All seven accused, including Mabe, are currently out on R30,000 bail each. The state alleges that Mabe secured the lucrative tender through fraudulent means while still serving as a Member of Parliament, blurring the lines between political office and private business.

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has also stepped in, securing a preservation order to prevent Mabe from selling or transferring assets, including his luxury Porsche Carrera and property in the upmarket Steyn City estate.

A test of political accountability

For Mabe, once a prominent ANC voice, the case threatens to overshadow his political career and legacy. For Ekurhuleni residents, it serves as a painful reminder of how grand promises of transformation can collapse under the weight of mismanagement and alleged corruption.

As the case drags on, the public will be watching closely to see whether this is yet another corruption trial that fades into obscurityor whether it finally delivers accountability.

Source:IOL 

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