Polokwane Municipality Denounces Tender Allegations as Smear Campaign
Polokwane – The leadership of Polokwane Municipality has dismissed recent allegations of tender irregularities as “baseless, defamatory, and politically motivated,” stating that the claims are part of a coordinated smear campaign by anonymous digital platforms.
Addressing the media on Thursday, municipal representatives refuted reports linking Executive Mayor Cllr Makoro John Mpe and City Manager Ms Thuso Nemugumoni to a purported R56 million irregular tender.
“We have noted with concern, contempt and disappointment the continued circulation of unfounded, malicious, and misleading allegations on anonymous online platforms such as MDM Media House,” Mpe said during a media breifing.
“These claims attempt to falsely implicate the Executive Mayor and the City Manager.”
Mpe emphasised that companies mentioned in the allegations, including Capotex Trading and Zerbacraft (Pty) Ltd, had been doing business with the municipality as far back as 2017, before the current leadership assumed office.
“Why is Polokwane Municipality being singled out?” the leadership asked. “The answer lies not in procurement irregularities – of which there are none – but in an intensifying campaign of targeted misinformation driven by political resentment and opportunism.”
On claims that R8 million was transferred into the Makoro Foundation, the municipality categorically denied the allegation, stating, “This is a fabrication. Since its inception, the Foundation’s bank account has never reflected a balance of R8 million.”
The City Manager also provided full disclosure regarding her property acquisitions, citing legally earned income, performance bonuses, and sale of previous rental properties as sources of funding.
“Documentary proof has been shared with the municipality and can withstand any legal scrutiny,” the statement added.
The municipality further stressed that its procurement processes are compliant with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), and that neither the Executive Mayor nor the City Manager personally awards tenders.
“Section 117 of the MFMA prohibits councillors from participating in supply chain processes,” Mpe said.
Referring to a R41 million payment to Linked Thoughts Consulting for the Ivy Park Extension 36 development, the municipality clarified that the payment was made in terms of the Spatial Planning and Land Use Management Act (SPLUMA) and followed all legal processes.
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“These frameworks allow for negotiated infrastructure agreements with developers where installations contribute to broader service delivery priorities.”
On the involvement of foreign-owned companies, the municipality cited Section 217 of the Constitution and the Preferential Procurement Policy Framework Act, stating, “The law does not prohibit foreign-owned companies from doing business with municipalities, provided they meet all legal and compliance requirements.”
The leadership called on digital platforms such as MDM Media House to “cease disinformation” and urged anyone with credible evidence of wrongdoing to approach law enforcement agencies.
“Real evidence must be handled through real institutions – not whispered in the shadows of social media.”
Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance (DA) in Polokwane has called on the MEC for Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs (COGHSTA), Basikopo Makamu, to urgently investigate the allegations.
DA Polokwane Spokesperson on Finance, Cllr Jacques Joubert, said that the DA is deeply worried by the document circulating widely on social media, which allegedly exposes a list of 28 tenders totalling R724 749 763.52 linked to high-level municipal officials.
“According to the document, a number of tenders were awarded to foreign-owned companies, while others allegedly involve entities with links to the Executive Mayor, the Municipal Manager, his partner, and close personal associates.”
“Where there is smoke, there is often fire. We therefore call for the appointment of an independent and transparent investigative body to investigate this matter without delay,” said Joubert.
The DA has committed to ensuring the findings of any investigation be made public to guarantee transparency and accountability.