POLOKWANE – The Limpopo police confirmed that a case of alleged tender irregularities has been registered against the Polokwane Mayor, John Mpe and other senior officials at the Polokwane Municipality by ActionSA.

The provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said a case was opened on Monday at the Polokwane Police Station and that it relates to alleged violations of the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act and the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act for contracts awarded between January, 10, 2023 and July, 28, 2025.

The case was opened by ActionSA’s provincial chair Victor Mothemela, alongside fellow party members.

“We will not stand by while politically connected individuals squander the economic future of South Africans for the benefit of foreign interests,” an ActionSA statement read.

“Where there is smoke, there is fire. As the leadership of ActionSA, we have decided to open a criminal case of corruption against John Mpe and his entourage,” Mothemela told party members.

Mpe is expected to provide a comprehensive report to the Department of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), today, regarding allegations of tender kickbacks, political patronage and financial maladministration in the city’s municipality.

He has labelled these claims as politically motivated smear tactics, denying wrongdoing and emphasised that foreign-owned companies lawfully participate in procurement processes if compliant with tax and legal requirements.

The Coghsta MEC, Basikopo Makamu, told Polokwane Observer on Friday (July 25) that he wrote to Mpe inquiring about the validity of municipal financial statements being circulated on social media.

Read more: Polokwane mayor faces deadline over tender kickback claims

Meanwhile, Hadebe confirmed that due to the gravity of the allegations, the case opened by ActionSA has been referred to the Hawks for further action.

On Friday, the EFF called for a full investigation, including possible intervention by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) and called for the Limpopo Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba to place the Polokwane Municipality under administration.