Polokwane Mayor John Mpe denies graft allegations amid Hawks investigation fallout

John Mpe, Polokwane Municipality Executive Mayor who is tied with allegations of tender corruption

image: Internet

by Mathipa Phishego

Polokwane Mayor and ANC regional chair John Mpe has come under scrutiny following allegations of irregularities involving a R56 million municipal tender. The tender was reportedly awarded to a company linked to the Zimbabwean partner of the city’s municipal manager, Thuso Nemugumoni. Mpe has firmly denied any wrongdoing, calling the claims politically motivated and misleading.

The allegations prompted an investigation by the Hawks, South Africa’s elite anti-corruption unit. However, the probe was later dropped, with the Hawks ordered to pay R1.2 million in legal costs. According to Mpe, the company in question had held contracts with the municipality since 2017, long before his administration took office. He also emphasized that awarding tenders to foreign-owned businesses is legal under South African law, provided procurement processes are followed.

Opposition parties, including the EFF and ActionSA, have seized on the controversy. Calling for an independent inquiry and urging the provincial government to consider placing the city under administration. The EFF’s Limpopo leadership said the scandal reflects deepening governance failures in Polokwane. ActionSA is preparing formal complaints with national authorities.

Mpe’s re-election as ANC Peter Mokaba regional chair earlier this year was already contentious, with reports of chaos at the regional conference. His latest political challenge comes as he tries to consolidate power in Limpopo’s most influential region. Supporters argue that the investigation’s collapse confirms that the accusations were baseless and driven by internal ANC rivalries.

The Hawks, long criticized for being susceptible to political influence, have not commented on the outcome of the Polokwane investigation. The incident adds to ongoing questions about the agency’s ability to pursue high-profile corruption cases independently. Meanwhile, Mpe maintains his position, vowing to focus on service delivery and accusing his critics of using the media and the justice system to undermine his leadership.