VANDERBIJLPARK – The man accused of masterminding the Emfuleni Local Municipality’s controversial R16m ghost fleet tender was released on bail on Thursday.

Mpho Malema walked out of the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on September 17 after being granted R30 000 bail.

The businessman whose company was contracted to supply 18 vehicles to the municipality, including trucks, allegedly delivered only seven.

He now faces charges of corruption, fraud and theft.

Delivering judgment, presiding magistrate Norman Wessels said the court was not there to determine whether Malema was guilty or not, noting that this was for the trial court to decide.

The magistrate explained that the bail court’s responsibility was to establish whether releasing the accused was in the interests of justice, including whether he would stand trial or could be traced.

After hearing arguments from both the defence and the State, the court found Malema suitable for bail, however, his freedom came with strings attached.

Malema must surrender his passport and is prohibited from travelling outside South Africa.

His case has been postponed to September 29, when he is expected to appear alongside accused number one, Lerato Mpholo.

The ghost fleet investigation was initially sparked by the murder of Martha Rantsofu in March.

Gauteng Political Killings Task Team spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, previously confirmed the cases being investigated by the task team were linked to Rantsofu’s murder.

Malema’s arrest followed that of the municipality’s former fleet manager, who is also out on bail in connection with the same investigation.

Meanwhile, the wider investigation into the R16m tender continues.