Mogalakwena municipal manager denied bail in R24m fraud case
Morris Maluleke remains behind bars after the Mokopane Magistrate's Court ruled that the interests of justice outweighed his release on charges linked to a municipal fleet tender.
MOKOPANE – The Mokopane Magistrate’s Court last week denied bail to Mogalakwena municipal manager Morris Maluleke (43), who faces charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering.
Maluleke appeared in court on several occasions during his formal bail application, which was opposed by senior state attorneys, Molokwane and Netshianda, advocates, Muligi and Mutshaeni, and state attorney, Nzimande.
Court finds against bail application
The state argued that the seriousness of the charges, the risk of interference with witnesses and ongoing investigations, and the interests of justice weighed against his release on bail.
The court upheld the state’s arguments, finding that Maluleke had failed, on a balance of probabilities, to discharge the burden of proof required for bail.
Alleged R24m fleet contract irregularities
Maluleke was arrested on October 7 in connection with allegations of fraud, corruption and money laundering relating to a municipal fleet management contract.
His company, Bona Cord Filling Station, was also implicated.
According to the state, Maluleke initially approved a fleet contract valued at approximately R4m but later authorised payments totalling R24m, allegedly causing substantial financial losses to the municipality.
The state further alleges that he irregularly awarded a R24m fleet tender to a company in December 2022 without following prescribed supply chain management procedures.
Although payments reportedly began in January 2023, services were only rendered between April and May that year, after the municipality’s legal department threatened to terminate the contract.
Investigators also uncovered payments totalling R230 000 into an account linked to Maluleke.
The matter was postponed to November 3 for further investigation. Maluleke remains in custody. No update was available at the time of going to print.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the ruling, saying it remained committed to ensuring accountability for corruption and the misuse of public money.
