Malema granted R30 000 bail in Emfuleni municipality R16m fraud case

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

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

According to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), the alleged offences took place between July 2015 and July 2023.

Malema is accused of paying Emfuleni fleet manager Lerato Selaelo Mpholo, 45, who is accused number one in the matter, R50 000 and other undisclosed amounts in exchange for allegedly facilitating the awarding of fleet procurement contracts to Malema and his company.

Following the awarding of the contracts, the municipality allegedly ordered and paid about R16 million to Malema for the procurement of 18 vehicles, including UD trucks and bakkies.

However, the NPA alleges that the vehicles were never delivered to the municipality.

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

The State opposed Malema's release on bail during proceedings.

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

The case was postponed to September 29 for further investigations.

Malema is also expected to join his co-accused, Mpholo, who was previously granted bail.

The case forms part of ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and irregularities involving Emfuleni's municipal fleet procurement.