POLOKWANE – The 22 accused in relation to tender irregularities in the Mogalakwena Municipality and their companies appeared in the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday on 104 charges of corruption, three of money laundering and three of conspiracy to commit corruption.
Among the suspects are two former mayors. One of them did not appear in court and a warrant of arrest was authorised, but stayed until January 17, 2022.
The accused first appeared in the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court in September after 15 of the suspects were handcuffed in a take-down operation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigations (Hawks). The case was struck off the roll as their legal representatives argued that their clients were arrested without a proper warrant. The magistrate said they were not treated in a proper manner.
“Arresting someone without a warrant requires a reasonable explanation. You cannot arrest a person who willingly made themselves available.”
The accused were then served with warrants and the case was moved to the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crimes Court. National Prosecuting Authority Limpopo spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi said in a media statement that the incidents took place between 2016 and 2019 and the total amount involved in corruption at the municipality is R15m.
The matter was postponed to January 17, 2022 for the state to furnish the legal representatives with copies of the dockets and for the appearance of the outstanding accused.
