VANDERBIJLPARK – The alleged R16m ghost fleet scandal rocking Emfuleni Local Municipality is heading closer to trial with two accused back in court.
Former ELM fleet manager Lerato Mpholo and businessman Mpho Malema appeared at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday, October 26, as the case continues to unfold.
The pair, previously granted bail, face charges of corruption, fraud and theft linked to a controversial municipal vehicle procurement deal.
Their appearance comes after months of arrests, court battles, and investigations into allegations that the municipality paid millions of rands for vehicles that never arrived.
The matter was postponed to December 3 for the State to indicate its readiness for trial.
Senior prosecutor Titus Daniso said the prosecution was awaiting input from the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The case centres on allegations that Emfuleni paid approximately R16m for 18 municipal vehicles, including trucks and bakkies, but received only seven.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the alleged irregularities took place between July 2015 and July 2023.
The State alleges that Mpholo, who was the municipality’s fleet manager, received R50 000 and other undisclosed payments from Malema in exchange for facilitating and awarding fleet procurement contracts to Malema and his company, Mabula Forestry and Construction.
The NPA says seven of the vehicles have since been recovered from other entities, while the whereabouts of the remaining vehicles remain under investigation.
Both accused face serious charges, but the allegations have yet to be tested in a criminal trial.
The scandal has also drawn attention because of its reported links to the murder investigation involving former Emfuleni municipal financial clerk Martha Mani Rantsofu.
Rantsofu was shot dead in March after reportedly raising concerns about alleged irregularities at the municipality.
Police have said the fleet tender was among the matters she had flagged before her death.
The Gauteng Political Killings Task Team has been investigating the allegations, with authorities pursuing both the alleged financial crimes and the circumstances surrounding Rantsofu’s killing.
