Hawks

The Polokwane High Court that ordered Kgantsi David Malepa to forfeit his Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d. Photo: SAPS.

Tender corruption: Hawks seize flashy Merc from municipal manager

The Hawks investigated allegations that business people deposited money into a dealership’s account for the suspect to purchase a vehicle of his choice.

Hawks

The Polokwane High Court that ordered Kgantsi David Malepa to forfeit his Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d. Photo: SAPS.

The Polokwane High Court ordered the forfeiture of a luxury vehicle, which belongs to the former manager of the Mogalakwena Municipality. The Hawks and NPA carried out the seizure.

HAWKS SEIZE MERCEDES-BENZ WORTH MORE THAN R1M

Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) spokesperson Captain Matimba Maluleke said a collaborative operation between the Hawks and NPA yielded positive results when the court granted an order – in terms of Section 50 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act – that compelled Kgantsi David Malepa to forfeit his Mercedes-Benz GLE 350d.

 Malepa is the former Municipal Technical Manager of Mogalakwena Municipality.

“The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation received complaints that business people allegedly deposited money into a vehicle dealership’s account for Malepa to purchase a vehicle of his choice as a gratification,” said the Hawks spokesperson.

The seized vehicle is reportedly worth R1.4 million.

According to the report, the municipality awarded tenders worth more than R50 million to different companies without following due process between 2017 and 2019.

Malepa and his wife [the car was registered in her name] were arrested by the authorities in connection with tender corruption in the municipality in September 2021.

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