Former Municipality legal manager arrested for tender fraud

Hawks in Limpopo, on Thursday, 16 April, arrested a 40-year-old former Legal Manager of the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality following an investigation into alleged tender fraud and corruption.

The investigations are focused on dismantling suspected collusion between municipal officials and service providers aimed at manipulating procurement processes for personal benefit.

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It is alleged that between 2016 and 2017, the suspect, while serving as Legal Manager, unlawfully facilitated the appointment of a service provider to supply software known as Ripjar to a municipal division’s “crime intelligence”.

Further allegations suggested that the suspect knowingly approved the appointment despite the service provider not meeting the prescribed requirements in terms of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), thereby allegedly compromising procurement processes.

As a result, the Elias Motsoaledi Local Municipality is said to have suffered a financial prejudice of approximately R686 000.

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The suspect is expected to appear before the Groblersdal Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 17 April 2026, where she will face charges of fraud and corruption.

The Acting Provincial Head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Brigadier Lesiba Meshack Malapile, reaffirmed the unit’s firm stance against corruption, stating that,

“We are unapologetic in pursuing justice. The Hawks will expose, dismantle and bring to book all those who seek to loot state resources.”