Mpho Malema granted R30,000 bail in alleged R16 million Emfuleni Municipality fraud case - IOL

Mpho Edward Malema, 40, the director of Mabula Forestry and Construction, has been granted R30,000 bail.

A service provider accused of being involved in an alleged R16 million fraud and corruption scheme involving Emfuleni Local Municipality has been granted R30,000 bail.

Mpho Edward Malema, 40, the director of Mabula Forestry and Construction, appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court where he faces charges of corruption, fraud and theft.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the charges relate to approximately R16 million allegedly paid by the municipality for vehicles that were never delivered.

Malema is accused alongside Emfuleni Local Municipality fleet manager Lerato Selaelo Mpholo, 45, who is accused 1 in the matter.

According to the allegations, the offences took place between July 2015 and July 2023.

Mahanjana said Mpholo allegedly received R50,000 from Malema, along with other undisclosed amounts, in exchange for allegedly facilitating the awarding of fleet procurement contracts by the municipality to Malema and his company.

Following the awarding of the contracts, Emfuleni Local Municipality allegedly ordered and paid approximately R16 million to Malema for the procurement of 18 vehicles.

The vehicles reportedly included UD trucks and bakkies.

However, the NPA alleges that the vehicles were never delivered to the municipality despite payment having been made.

Mpho Edward Malema, 40, the director of Mabula Forestry and Construction, has been granted R30,000 bail.

Seven of the vehicles have since been recovered from other entities, while the whereabouts of the remaining vehicles are still being investigated.

Mahanjana said the State opposed Malema’s release on bail during the proceedings.

However, the magistrate found that it was in the interests of justice for Malema to be released and granted him bail of R30,000.

Mpholo, who was previously released on bail, is expected to continue facing the charges alongside Malema.

The matter was postponed to September 29, 2026, for further investigations.

Malema is also expected to formally join his co-accused in the matter.