A 40-year-old former legal manager of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality has been arrested in connection with alleged fraud and corruption involving a municipal tender.
She was arrested on Thursday by the Limpopo Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks.
Hawks spokesperson Captain Wendy Nkabi said the arrest follows an active investigation into suspected tender fraud and corruption within local municipalities.
Nkabi said the investigations are 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 suggested 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 Nkabi.
The municipality is believed to have suffered financial losses of approximately R686,000 as a result.
The accused is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 April 2026, where she will face charges of fraud and corruption.
Meanwhile, the acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Brigadier Lesiba Meshack Malapile, reaffirmed the unit’s stance against corruption, saying: “We are unapologetic in pursuing justice. The Hawks will expose, dismantle and bring to book all those who seek to loot state resources.”
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Sinenhlanhla Masilela
iol.co.za
