Seven suspects, including high-ranking officials, company directors, and a former member of Parliament, handed themselves over to the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit in Gauteng this morning.
Story Summary:
- Seven suspects, including Pule Mabe, are facing charges related to a R27 million tender awarded for waste management services in Gauteng.
- Mabe, a former MP, is implicated through his connection to Enviro-Mobi, the company that allegedly benefited from irregular tender payments.
- The suspects are due in court on charges of fraud, theft, and violating financial and organised crime laws.
Pule Mabe part of seven suspects expected in court for R27 million tender corruption
They are expected to appear at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes court after being processed.
Their arrests stem from an investigation into a R27 million tender awarded by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in March 2017 to Enviro-Mobi, a company responsible for integrating waste management operations.
However, investigations revealed fraudulent activities, including payments made without fulfilling the contract’s terms.
Pule Mabe, a former MP and current African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee (NEC) member, has been linked to the case, though his name is not officially mentioned in the Hawks’ statement.
Sources suggest Mabe’s involvement stems from his position as a director of Enviro-Mobi, the company awarded the questionable tender.
According to the Hawks, the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development awarded the R27 million tender to Enviro-Mobi to deliver motorised three-wheelers for waste management.
The company was contracted to deliver 200 vehicles, yet the Department paid over R25 million upfront despite none of the motorbikes being received at the time.
Additional funds, amounting to over R9 million, were later demanded by Enviro-Mobi for storage and related services.
Investigations revealed that the company had failed to disclose its connection to Mabe, who was still an MP when the tender was awarded.
The Hawks also discovered that the vehicles intended for waste management were not delivered as promised, with reports of them being abandoned and left to rot.
Mabe’s relationship with other prominent political figures, such as Lebogang Maile, the Gauteng MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, has raised further concerns about political influence and corruption surrounding the tender.
Maile defended the tender in 2017, denying any conflict of interest despite reports suggesting otherwise.
The suspects, including Mabe, face charges of fraud, theft, and violating the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA).
Their court appearance will shed more light on the details of the case and the extent of political involvement.