Former Emfuleni Fleet Manager Arrested in Connection with Alleged R16 Million Vehicle Procurement Irregularities

PrimeTime News Desk Published 19 July 2026

3 min read

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VANDERBIJLPARK – A 42-year-old former fleet manager at Emfuleni Local Municipality was arrested by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) on charges of fraud and corruption relating to an irregular municipal tender for vehicles valued at approximately R16 million.

The arrest, which occurred on Sunday, stems from investigations into the awarding and implementation of a contract for the supply of 18 vehicles, including UD trucks and bakkies. According to police, the municipality allegedly paid the full amount to the service provider, but only seven of the contracted vehicles were delivered.

This development forms part of a broader probe into fleet procurement irregularities at the municipality that date back to transactions around 2022. A forensic investigation by Tshangana & Associates Incorporated, commissioned following the identification of irregular expenditure during the 2023/2024 financial year audit, uncovered significant losses. The report detailed payments for vehicles that were never delivered, supplied irregularly, or became inoperable shortly after acquisition.

Key findings from the forensic report include:

Approximately R8.7 million paid for six UD trucks that were never delivered, despite invoices being signed and stamped as proof of receipt.
Procurement of eight Toyota Hilux bakkies costing around R525,607 each (totaling roughly R4.2 million), with only partial delivery confirmed and limited vehicles still accounted for.
Acquisition of three SANY graders that experienced repeated mechanical failures soon after delivery.

Irregularities highlighted in the investigation included signed delivery confirmations for non-existent or undelivered assets, duplicate engine numbers, assets registered to third parties, and deviations from proper supply chain management procedures. The report recommended criminal charges, disciplinary action against implicated officials, recovery of losses, and blacklisting of involved service providers and their directors.

In April 2026, Emfuleni Municipal Manager April Ntuli filed a criminal complaint at Vanderbijlpark police station against seven municipal employees and several service providers involved in the fleet spending. The municipality initiated internal disciplinary processes and referred the matter to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), emphasizing commitments to accountability and asset recovery.

The service provider Maboela Forestry and Construction, owned by Mpho Edward Malema, was centrally implicated in the forensic findings for the supply of trucks, bakkies, and graders.

The suspect is scheduled to appear in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 20 July 2026, at 09:00. Police have stated that the investigation remains ongoing, with the possibility of further arrests.

Emfuleni Local Municipality, which has faced ongoing financial and governance challenges, has previously confirmed actions to address gross mismanagement in fleet asset verification, acquisition, maintenance, and insurance. Spokesperson Makhosonke Sangweni has noted that the forensic process was internally driven following audit findings and council resolutions.

This case highlights persistent concerns over public procurement in the municipality, where taxpayer funds intended for service delivery were allegedly lost to non-delivery and procedural failures. Authorities continue to pursue full accountability and recovery efforts.