27/07/2025
COGHSTA MEC HAS GIVEN MPE A WEEK
The mayor of Polokwane, John Mpe, has until Tuesday (July 29) to provide a comprehensive report to the MEC of municipalities in Limpopo regarding allegations of tender kickbacks, political patronage and financial maladministration in the city’s municipality.
The MEC of Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (Coghsta), Basikopo Makamu, wrote to Mpe inquiring about the validity of municipal financial statements being circulated on social media.
The statements link Mpe and City Manager Thuso Nemugumoni to 28 municipal service providers, who, according to the document, suggest that the top two also receive respective pieces of funding from service providers with whom they allegedly have personal relations.
Among several photos, a spreadsheet document from the 2022-23 financial year shows names of companies, amounts received, and each either linked to Nemugumoni or Mpe.
Polokwane mayor dismisses tender allegations as politically motivated.
The most alarming was an over R56m payout to a multi-construction company whose whistleblowers have allegedly connected its owner to be romantically involved with Nemugumoni.
Nemugumoni could, however, not account for whether the company was involved with the municipality out of her favour or merit.
Mpe said that he did not keep track of the personal relationships of his 2000 plus employees.
Mpe said it was only appropriate to question Nemugumoni outside of the briefing regarding whether she was involved personally with the service provider.
She allegedly also used municipal money to purchase three properties in Euphoria Golf Estate and one elsewhere. Makamu said currently, the allegations were unverified but alarming.
“His report will help us determine if there is a need for further investigations involving law enforcement authorities, the premier’s intervention or other such similar efforts,” he mentioned.
Mpe raised public alarm on Thursday when he called a media briefing at New Peter Mokaba Stadium regarding the companies in the spotlight.
He stated that the companies in question have been doing business with the municipality since 2017, well before the current administration took office.
Again, he could not immediately respond to the highest amount ever received from his foundation, Makoro John Mpe Foundation and from who it came during the media briefing when journalists questioned.
This comes after his denial of accusations that the foundation received R8m from a tender with the municipality in which he said the foundation had never received such a high amount of money.
On Friday, the EFF in Limpopo held a media briefing at Polokwane Royal Hotel. Its leader, Lawrence Mapoulo, said they would expect President Cyril Ramaphosa to sign a proclamation permitting the Special Investigating Unit to look into the affairs of the municipality.
They also opened a case with the HAWKS on Wednesday, Mapoulo mentioned.
They also want Premier Dr Phophi Ramathuba to intervene by placing the municipality under administration, with an adhoc committee.
The party, and a Ratepayers Association in formation, are planning a protest demonstration calling for action.
Action SA and Building One South Africa also intend to open a case on Monday with the police.
