Polokwane Mayor Seeks Court Order to Block Hawks Investigation

Polokwane, Limpopo – Executive Mayor John Mpe has filed an urgent court application aiming to prevent the Hawks from accessing sensitive municipal documents, escalating one of Limpopo’s latest high-profile corruption controversies.

The legal move comes just days after Hawks investigators raided Polokwane municipal offices on September 17, seizing records under a Polokwane High Court order. The documents are linked to allegations of fraud, money laundering, and tender irregularities reportedly worth over R724 million.

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Allegations of Tender Irregularities

Whistleblower documents circulating since July suggest that 28 municipal contracts awarded between 2022 and 2023 were allegedly funneled to companies connected to Mayor Mpe, Municipal Manager Thuso Nemugumoni, and their associates. Some contracts are reported to involve kickbacks through Mpe’s non-profit, the Makoro Foundation.

Mayor’s Legal Challenge

Mpe’s lawyer, Kgabo Maponya, told reporters that the court application targets procedural flaws in the Hawks’ investigation.

“My clients believe the lead investigators were flouting processes in accessing information,” Maponya said, describing the raid as an overreach rather than a targeted “invasion” of the mayor’s office.

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Mayor Mpe himself has dismissed the scrutiny as a political smear campaign, allegedly orchestrated by rivals within the ANC and opposition parties, insisting that his “hands are clean.”

Public and Political Scrutiny Intensifies

As the legal proceedings unfold, Polokwane’s municipal governance is under growing scrutiny, highlighting concerns about tender processes, transparency, and accountability in the province.

Observers note that the case could have far-reaching political implications, particularly as it intersects with broader debates about corruption in local government and the role of whistleblower revelations in driving investigations. The court will hear Mayor Mpe’s application in the coming days, with both legal teams expected to present arguments on procedural compliance, access to information, and the scope of the Hawks’ investigative powers.