Vanderbijlpark – A former Fleet Manager at the Emfuleni Local Municipality appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of fraud and corruption linked to an alleged R16 million municipal vehicle procurement scheme in which 11 vehicles remain unaccounted for.
Lerato Mpholo, 42, was arrested by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) following an investigation into the alleged irregular awarding and implementation of a municipal fleet tender.
According to police, the municipality paid approximately R16 million to a service provider to procure 18 municipal vehicles, including UD trucks and bakkies. However, investigators established that only seven of the contracted vehicles were delivered to the municipality despite the service provider allegedly receiving full payment.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, police spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Amanda van Wyk said investigators have so far managed to trace four of the missing vehicles, but they are now registered to other entities.
“Approximately R16 million was spent to procure 18 vehicles. Only seven vehicles were delivered to the Emfuleni Local Municipality, while 11 remain unaccounted for. The investigation has led to the recovery of four vehicles, although they are currently registered to other entities. Investigations are continuing to locate the remaining vehicles,” Van Wyk said.
She added that investigators are working to recover the outstanding vehicles and that further arrests have not been ruled out as the investigation progresses.
The case against Mpholo was postponed to 27 July to allow for a formal bail application.
The investigation forms part of ongoing efforts by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team to combat corruption and financial crimes involving public funds.
Authorities say the investigation remains active as detectives continue to trace the missing vehicles and determine whether additional individuals were involved in the alleged tender fraud scheme.