Suspended Mogalakwena manager back in court in R45m tender case
Suspended Mogalakwena manager Morris Maluleke appeared in court in the R45m tender case, with his urgent bail application dismissed.
MOKOPANE – The Hawks have made another arrest in the R45 million fraud, corruption and money laundering case involving the Mogalakwena Local Municipality’s fleet management tender, with suspended municipal manager Morris Maluleke and a private company now implicated in the investigation.
Maluleke was arrested on October 7, while Bon Accord Filling Station, a company in which he is the sole director, has also been cited as an accused in the case.
The parties appeared in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on October 9 following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation teams in Phalaborwa and Polokwane under Operation Phunyuka Bam’phethe.
The allegations
The case centres on allegations of irregularities in the awarding of a R45 million fleet management tender to Flitmove (Pty) Ltd in December 2022.
Investigators are probing allegations that the contract was awarded without following prescribed supply chain management procedures, resulting in potential financial losses to the municipality.
It is further alleged that monies were channelled to Maluleke through a company of which he is the sole director.
Case postponed, bail dismissed
The case was postponed to October 16 to allow for further investigation and a formal bail application.
The High Court in Polokwane, however, dismissed Maluleke’s urgent bail application on October 12. He remains in custody pending his next court appearance.
The latest developments follow the arrest of Shanton Lutchman, who was apprehended in Johannesburg on September 15 by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation Team.
Lutchman appeared in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on September 17 on charges of fraud, theft, contraventions of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and corruption.
He was released on R100 000 bail, and his case was postponed to November 3 for further investigation.
How the investigation unfolded
According to the Hawks, the investigation stems from allegations surrounding a fleet management tender advertised and awarded by the municipality in 2022.
Preliminary findings allegedly indicated that the procurement process was not conducted in accordance with prescribed procedures.
Investigators subsequently traced financial transactions and examined the involvement of individuals and private entities apparently linked to the tender.
The investigation also seeks to establish the extent of the municipality’s potential financial losses and the role of the entities reportedly associated with the suspects.
Hawks reaffirm commitment to fighting corruption
The provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Gopz Govender, welcomed court proceedings and commended the investigation team for its efforts to tackle serious corruption.
Govender stressed that public funds should be used to benefit communities and reaffirmed the Hawks’ commitment to pursuing corruption allegations without fear, favouritism or prejudice.
He also called on anyone with credible information about corruption or the misuse of public funds to assist law enforcement authorities.
