The Polokwane Municipality is embroiled in a massive corruption scandal after leaked documents revealed alleged tender irregularities amounting to R724 million. The documents, shared by a whistleblower, claim that between 2022 and 2023, 28 tenders were irregularly awarded—including to foreign-owned companies—with beneficiaries allegedly linked to municipal officials.
Explosive Allegations
According to the leaked information, some of the companies that secured lucrative contracts are close associates of Polokwane Executive Mayor John Mpe and Municipal Manager Thuso Nemugumoni. The whistleblower, who identifies as a concerned resident rather than a formal whistleblower, shared the documents on social media, sparking public outrage.
Thapelo Molepo, the resident behind the exposé, stated that his motivation was to highlight mismanagement and poor service delivery in the municipality. “The purpose was to expose the mismanagement of resources and the administrative challenges happening in Polokwane,” Molepo said. “We are taxpayers, ratepayers, and residents—we have a right to know why services are failing.”
Unfinished Projects and Poor Performance
Molepo pointed to incomplete projects as evidence of mismanagement, citing a construction site in Ga-Molepo where a contractor allegedly abandoned work despite being awarded multiple tenders. “When contractors perform poorly, the municipality must act decisively, not keep giving them projects,” he said.
The scandal has drawn sharp reactions from political parties, with the DA and EFF calling for accountability. However, Mayor Mpe has dismissed the allegations as a “fabrication and smear campaign” against him.
Public Demand for Accountability
With residents demanding answers, pressure is mounting on authorities to investigate the claims. The leaked documents have raised serious concerns about governance, procurement processes, and potential conflicts of interest within the municipality.
As the controversy unfolds, calls for a formal probe into the alleged corruption grow louder, with residents and opposition parties insisting that those responsible must be held accountable.
