VANDERBIJLPARK.- A former Emfuleni Local Municipality fleet manager accused of a R16m municipal vehicle scandal will remain behind bars after his bail application was delayed.

Lerato Mpholo (42) appeared briefly at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday.

A specialist police task team arrested Mpholo on charges of fraud, corruption and theft.

Prosecutors claim a supplier was paid the full R16m to deliver 18 municipal vehicles, including UD Trucks and bakkies, but investigators allege that only seven were actually handed over.

The public gallery was packed with politicians, former colleagues, and family members. However, the high-profile proceedings stalled when Mpholo’s defence team refused to proceed. They argued they could not start the bail application without seeing a statement their client had given to investigators in April.

The prosecution opposed the immediate release of the document, warning it could harm the ongoing investigation. The magistrate subsequently remanded Mpholo in custody.

Outside the court, police confirmed that investigators are looking into further corruption allegations within the municipality.

“The Gauteng Political Killings Task Team is mandated to investigate serious crimes such as these. This matter involves fraud, corruption and theft, and there are other cases underway in Emfuleni,” said Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk.

She also revealed that four more missing vehicles have been found, though they had been registered to a completely different company rather than the council.

The case will be back in court on July 27 for a formal bail hearing.