The Limpopo Serious Corruption Investigation unit of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) arrested a 40-year-old former Legal Manager of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality on Wednesday, 16 April 2026.
The arrest relates to allegations of fraud and corruption concerning tender irregularities within the municipality.
According to the Hawks investigation, which focuses on suspected collusion between municipal officials and service providers regarding procurement manipulation, the suspect held the position of Legal Manager during the period of 2016 to 2017.
It is alleged that during this time, the suspect unlawfully facilitated the appointment of a service provider to supply software identified as Ripjar to a municipal division referred to as “crime intelligence.”
The investigation further alleges that the suspect knowingly approved the appointment despite the service provider failing to meet the prescribed requirements stipulated in the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA). The alleged action compromised established procurement processes.
The Hawks state that as a direct result of these alleged actions, the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality incurred a financial prejudice of approximately R686,000.
The suspect is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 April 2026, to face formal charges of fraud and corruption.