ACTis has raised three flags for the Polokwane Local Municipality and placed four under monitoring.
Allegations involving the Municipality’s most senior political and administrative office-bearers, Mayor John Mpe and Municipal Manager Thuso Nemugumoni, raise concerns about the integrity of decision-making, oversight and accountability within the Municipality.
The fact that the same companies and directors repeatedly appear across procurement allegations, private gain concerns, and corruption investigations suggests these may not be isolated incidents, but rather a pattern of undue influence over municipal decision-making and procurement systems. The alleged involvement of individuals linked to both Mpe and Nemugumoni, and the Municipality’s continued use of companies implicated in major corruption scandals elsewhere in government, raises concerns that multiple networks may be unduly benefiting from municipal contracts.
These concerns are amplified by weak financial controls, procurement irregularities, and allegations that senior leadership withheld information requested by law enforcement and investigators. Such conditions allow misconduct to continue and make it difficult to identify and address wrongdoing.
Several infrastructure projects have experienced significant cost increases, delays, incomplete work or procurement irregularities. Delays to projects such as the Polokwane Regional Wastewater Treatment Works may undermine efforts to address existing water and sanitation challenges in the Municipality, prolonging pressures on already strained infrastructure.