The Democratic Alliance (DA) has requested Limpopo’s MEC for COGHSTA, Basikopo Makamu, to urgently place the Molemole Local Municipality under Section 139 administration following the arrests of all senior officials for tender fraud and corruption by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS) since 15 of April 2026.
All arrested officials must be immediately suspended so that they cannot influence or contaminate the investigation.
Just two newly-appointed senior managers remain in office after the HAWKS arrested the rest. The municipality’s administration is now crippled.
The DA has continuously raised concern over Molemole’s irregular and dubious project appointments including:
- The Morebeng landfill site where the Department of Economic Development and Environmental Affairs allocated an amount of R38 million for infrastructure development but to date, only a palisade fence and a borehole drilled were completed,
- The contractor on the electrification of Matseke extension was paid R2 million before project completion,
- A service provider, whose rates and taxes were in arrears at the Ekurhuleni Metro, was awarded a tender worth R238 500 to conduct training for councillors. This appointment is in contravention of regulation 28 of the Supply Chain Management Act, and
- Construction of the Fatima culvert bridge ,initially registered for R7.5 million, was marred by underperformance by the contractor and despite the appointment of a new contractor , with an additional budget, the initial contractor was not held accountable in terms of the project scope.
The level of corruption within Molemole Municipality was also raised by the Auditor General in the 2024/2025 report, but was ignored by ANC Mayor, Masilo Paya.
The officials arrested by the HAWKS are:
- The Municipal Manager- Kgabo Makgatho
- The Community Services Manager- Timothy Molopa
- Manger of Supply Chain- Tebogo Ralephenya
- Chairperson of the Bid Evaluation Committee, who is also the Manager in the Office of the Municipal Manager- Nkoto Modiisha
- Acting Manager: Technical Services- Justice Mabetoa
- Acting Manager: Corporate Services- Maphuti Manyelo
- Manager: Technician and Stormwater- Bongani Mabaso
In addition, former senior employees were also arrested:
- Former Chief Financial Officer- Zulu Myizile
- Donald Masipa, a contractor habitually appointed by the municipality
- Former Technical Services Manager and his wife
The HAWKS indicated that more arrests are imminent.
The DA believes that political officer bearers had to have knowledge of this scale of corruption, which has brought the municipality to its knees.