City of Mbombela in hot water for alleged corruption

The Citizen

05-05-2025

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has been authorised to probe the allegations of maladministration in seven tenders by the City of Mbombela (CoM).
President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the new Proclamation 257 of 2025 authorising SIU to investigate these allegations.
The proclamation covers allegations of unlawful and improper conduct that occurred between February 16, 2015, and May 2, 2025, as well as any related activities before this period and after the date of the proclamation that are pertinent to the matters under investigation or involve the same persons, entities or contracts.
The tenders in question include:
The SIU will probe any related unauthorised, irregular, wasteful expenditure incurred by CoM or the state in relation to the following:
1. Tender number PRE/040/14/MP for investigation and legal services.
2. Tender number DHS/112/15/MP relating to the installation of internal municipal civil engineering services, construction of low-cost Reconstruction and Development Programme housing units, and the provision of project management under the Integrated Residential Development Programme at Emjindini extensions 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19.
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3. Tender number NLM-TS-003/2015/16 relating to engineering services
4. Construction-related goods and services in respect of the R538 Hazyview to Numbi Gate Turn-off Project.
5. Bid number 26/2015 relating to the appointment of professional consultants for the establishment of the Strategic Programmes and Projects Support Unit for the municipality.
6. Bid number 72/2017 relating to the Turnkey Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Management Programme.
7. Tender number 116/2018 relating to the implementation of the construction of
Phase 1 of the Nsikazi North Bulk Water Scheme.
The SIU investigation will examine whether the procurement and contracting were made in a manner that was not fair, competitive, transparent, equitable or cost-effective, or in violation of applicable legislation, guidelines or instructions from the national or provincial treasury.
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City of Mbombela responds
The CoM's spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, said the municipality learnt about this investigation through the media statement issued on Monday, May 5.
'However, if you look at the tenders being investigated, only two of the seven were issued by the municipality (six and seven). We won't comment now except to indicate that we take note of the proclamation and will co-operate with the unit charged with this responsibility. The SIU is better placed to expand on this investigation,' he said.
Further details of the investigation
Furthermore, the SIU will seek to establish if there was any misappropriation of unidentified payments received by the municipality.
It will also look at any irregular, unlawful or improper conduct by CoM officials and employees; its suppliers and service providers; or any other person or entity implicated.
In line with the Special Investigating Units and Special Tribunals Act 74 of 1996 (SIU Act), the unit will refer any evidence of criminal conduct uncovered during its investigation to the National Prosecuting Authority for further action.
The unit is also authorised to initiate a civil action in the high court or a special tribunal in its name to address any wrongdoing identified during its investigation resulting from acts of corruption, fraud or maladministration.
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