The Limpopo Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Hawks has arrested a 40-year-old former Legal Manager at the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality in connection with allegations of fraud and corruption.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 April 2026.
The arrest on Thursday comes after the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation investigated alleged tender fraud and corruption within local municipalities.
These investigations were focused on dismantling suspected collusion between municipal officials and service providers aimed at manipulating procurement processes for personal benefit.
“It is alleged that between 2016 and 2017, the suspect, while serving as Legal Manager, unlawfully facilitated the appointment of a service provider to supply software known as Ripjar to a municipal division ‘crime intelligence’.
“Further allegations suggest that the suspect knowingly approved the appointment despite the service provider not meeting the prescribed requirements in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), thereby allegedly compromising procurement processes,” said the police in a statement.
According to the police, Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality is said to have suffered financial prejudice of approximately R686 000. – SAnews.gov.za
