SEDIBENG – The man believed to be the mastermind behind the controversial R16m Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) fleet tender is now behind bars.

The Political Killing Task Team made the breakthrough on September 3 when its members arrested the alleged kingpin at a mall in Pretoria.

The arrest is the latest development in a widening corruption investigation at the embattled municipality.

According to police, the suspect’s company was awarded a tender and allegedly received about R16m in full to supply 18 municipal vehicles.

However, only seven of the 18 vehicles were delivered to the municipality, despite the service provider receiving the full payment.

The investigation has now led police to the man allegedly behind the company that benefited from the deal.

His arrest comes hot on the heels of that of Janitha van Reenen, who was re-arrested outside the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on Thursday in connection with an alleged R9.9m electricity scam.

The latest arrest also follows the arrest of Lerato Mpholo, who was ELM’s fleet manager when the tender was allegedly awarded.

Mpholo was granted R25 000 bail at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court in June.

The task team has been investigating a string of alleged corruption cases involving ELM, with several arrests making headlines in recent months.

Police confirm investigations into the fleet tender scandal are continuing.

Ster contacted the police for an official comment, but had received no response at the time of publication.

This is a developing story.