By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks conducted a raid at the Polokwane Local Municipality offices following allegations of tender irregularities on Wednesday.
The allegations involve the municipality’s executive mayor, John Mpe, and municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni.
Whistleblower Thapelo Molepo, who now leads the activist group Concerned Citizens of Polokwane (CCP), has accused Mpe and Nemugumoni of being at the centre of fraudulent tender activities worth more than R700 million.
Hawks, said in a statement that the operation was conducted following a court order issued by the Polokwane High Court.
“The action follows a court order issued by the Polokwane High Court, which granted the Hawks permission to obtain information and documents in support of a criminal investigation into an alleged corruption scandal involving municipal principals and officials,” said Hawks national spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale.
She added: “The DPCI remains committed to acting decisively and within the law to ensure accountability and transparency in municipal operations.”
Mpe, who also serves as the ANC’s regional chairperson in the Peter Mokaba region, has denied the corruption allegations, dismissing them as part of a political smear campaign. He will be contesting the provincial chair position with premier Phophi Ramathuba.
Both have been implicated in serious allegations, with the premier facing a nepotism, fraud and corruption scandal involving several million rands.
Ramathuba is accused, together with MEC for cooperative governance, human settlements and traditional affairs Basikopo Makamu, of milking the coffers of the controversial Mogalakwena municipality through the dubious awarding of municipal contracts.
The premier is also accused of working in cahoots with Mogalakwena municipal manager Montenga Morris Maluleka, to award contracts to their close friends and political comrades.
The allegations were rejected by both Ramathuba and Maluleka.
Meanwhile ActionSA provincial spokesperson Victor Mothemela says the Hawks’ action demonstrates a commitment to investigating the corruption allegations.
“I want to express our strong support for the recent raid by the Hawks at the offices of Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe and Municipal Manager Thuso [Nemogumoni],” he says.
“This development is a crucial step towards accountability and transparency in local governance. We commend their efforts and urge them to conduct a swift and impartial investigation.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) commended the Hawks conducting an operation at the offices of Nemogumoni.
“We commend the work of the Hawks priority crimes for not surrendering to such manoeuvring and attempting to refuse justice,” said EFF chairperson Lawrence Mapoulo.