LIMPOPO – Political parties are calling for the removal and suspension of a former Ba-Phalaborwa Municipality (BPM) municipal manager and now Minister in the Presidency, Khumbuzo Ntshaveni.

This is after an investigation by the Hawks for alleged tender corruption worth R2.3m during her time as the municipal manager of BPM.

It is alleged that Ntshaveni awarded a contract that was initially R584 000 to an accounting firm called Makwande Chartered Accountants and Business Advisors in July 2009. The contract was aimed at preparing the 2008/9 financial statements for the local municipality.

In 2022, the Polokwane High Court’s Judge Gerrit Muller found that Makwande did not meet the 10:00 tender submission deadline of June 30, 2009, but the company was however still awarded the tender. It further uncovered that the contract was extended irregularly, making the final amount of the contract R2.3m, but the company was only paid R268 681.40.

The court referred the matter to the Hawks. They have now completed the investigation, and the docket is with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for decision.

This has led to opposition parties calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to remove Ntshaveni from office.

The DA’s Dianne Kohler Barnard has written to the presidency for swift action against the minister.

The DA in Limpopo said Ntshavheni’s impending prosecution is a rare victory for the public and the town of Phalaborwa.

Meanwhile, the EFF slammed the corrupt awarding of tender by the minister.

“Ntshaveni represents the patronage that has defined Ramaphosa’s tenure as president. Despite all her failures and sordid corruption, she now presides over State Security with impunity, while the nation fails to combat mass shootings, and human, and drug trafficking under her watch.”

At the time of print on Tuesday, BPM could not be reached for comment.