Hawks
Polokwane – The Hawks have raided the offices of Polokwane Municipality in Limpopo, targeting municipal manager Thuso Nemugumoni in a high-stakes corruption investigation worth over R700 million, as allegations of tender irregularities engulf Mayor John Mpe and senior officials amid a whistleblower’s explosive leaks.
The dramatic swoop on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, came after the Polokwane High Court greenlit a search warrant, allowing the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) to seize documents and data linked to crooked deals. Hawks officers combed through files at the municipal headquarters, zeroing in on Nemugumoni’s office as part of a broader probe into fraud, money laundering, and nepotism that’s rocked the heart of Limpopo’s biggest city. The case, sparked by a July complaint from ActionSA provincial chairperson Victor Mothemela, builds on claims from whistleblower Thapelo Molepo, who dumped damning evidence online, exposing what he called a “pattern of irregular payments” totalling R750 million across 28 dodgy tenders.
This isn’t just paperwork shuffling – it’s a deep dive into how public cash meant for roads, water fixes, and community projects allegedly lined the pockets of insiders. Molepo, a former ANC member from Ga-Molepo outside Polokwane, went public on social media in late July, sharing spreadsheets and memos showing companies tied to Mpe’s inner circle scooping up contracts without fair bids. One standout: a fleet card scandal where the municipality ditched outside hires to do the work in-house, saving millions but sparking fury from jilted contractors who, according to Mpe, cornered Nemugumoni whining, “Don’t eat alone, we also want to eat.” Molepo insisted his leaks weren’t a grab for perks but a cry for better services – think pothole-riddled streets in Seshego and burst pipes leaving families parched. “The purpose was to expose the mismanagement of resources and the administrative challenges happening in Polokwane,” he told reporters then, pointing to ghost sites like a half-built hall in Ga-Molepo where cash vanished.
Whistleblower’s Brave Stand: From ANC Loyalist to Suspended Outcast
Molepo’s saga is a classic tale of courage clashing with party loyalty. Once an ANC foot soldier in the Mphogodiba branch, he blew the lid off after spotting red flags in tender awards – firms owned by the mayor’s chums getting no-bid nods for everything from stadium upgrades to waste collection. His July 25 post, viewed thousands of times, detailed over R700 million in suspicious payouts, including R724 million in one batch alone, with audits skipped and conflicts buried. ActionSA jumped in fast, lodging the docket at Polokwane SAPS under Lieutenant-General Thembi Hadebe’s watch, roping in fraud, corruption, and Prevention of Organised Crime Act charges.
But blow the whistle, and payback follows. The ANC’s Mphogodiba crew hauled Molepo before their disciplinary committee on August 15, slapping him with a three-year suspension for “bringing the organisation into disrepute.” Branch chair Marothi Letsoalo confirmed the guilty verdict on all counts, giving him appeal rights, but Molepo fired back: “They must first discipline John. He has brought the organisation into serious disrepute! I don’t have time to waste on lip exercises.” By August 17, the ban bit – no more party gigs for the man now heading the Concerned Citizens of Polokwane (CCP). Molepo doubled down, leading August 14 protests to Premier Phophi Ramathuba’s door, with marchers chanting for Mpe’s head and banners slamming “tender mafia” looting. “Those found in wrongdoing should face the music,” he roared to the crowd, as cops kept the peace amid fears of unrest in a city already simmering over service woes.
Mpe, the ANC’s Polokwane strongman, scoffed at the noise, branding the accusers “fake whistleblowers” hungry for a slice. In a July 29 TV spot, he claimed the fuss stemmed from sore losers mad at the council’s DIY pivot on projects, saving ratepayers’ cash. Municipal spokesperson Thipa Selala echoed that, saying Mpe had “no association” with the flagged firms. But the leaks painted a grimmer picture: audits dodged, relatives hooked up, and millions funneled to shells in construction and events – all while Polokwane’s infrastructure crumbles, with water trucks idling and roads like war zones.
Raid Details: Court-Ordered Hunt for the Paper Trail
Fast-forward to Wednesday, and the Hawks – Limpopo boss Gopz Govender’s elite squad – hit like thunder. Armed with the High Court’s nod, they rifled Nemugumoni’s desk for emails, contracts, and bank slips tying back to the tenders. The probe, now two months old, widened to include raids on Mpe and Nemugumoni’s homes that morning, hunting gadgets and ledgers for the money trail. Govender teased a court date soon, hinting evidence is stacking up for arrests. “The investigation is long overdue as we have previously highlighted the deep rot in Polokwane. Evidence exposes money laundering and corruption,” a source close to the case let slip, as agents boxed up files under watchful eyes.
Selala, the municipality’s voice, played it cool post-raid. “The Hawks visited the municipality today as part of their investigative processes by seeking certain documents relevant to their inquiry,” he said in a statement. “While I can confirm that documents were requested, I’m not in a position to disclose specifics as doing so compromise the integrity of the investigation.” He stressed full cooperation: “Those documents have been made available for them because as a municipality we have always emphasised that whenever there are issues we are cooperating with law enforcement agencies if they have the correct or valid letters.” Selala wrapped with a nod to duty: the council stays laser-focused on services and rules, no matter the storm.
Political Firestorm: ActionSA, DA Cheer; ANC Circles Wagons
Opposition parties are lapping it up. ActionSA’s Mothemela hailed the raid as proof their July push worked, vowing no let-up till cuffs click. “The Hawks’ action demonstrates a commitment to investigating the corruption allegations,” he beamed, eyes on Mpe’s ouster. The DA piled on, with Limpopo shadow minister Leigh-Ann Mathys calling it a “welcome step” towards a clean house. “The people of Polokwane deserve a municipality that is free of corruption and governed by integrity. The DA will not rest until these allegations are thoroughly investigated and those responsible are held accountable.”
The ANC’s mum so far, but insiders whisper damage control: Mpe’s a key player in their Limpopo machine, and Nemugumoni’s tied to provincial strings. Ramathuba’s office dodged protest pleas in August, but pressure mounts with the Hawks circling. CCP’s Molepo, fresh off suspension, rallied supporters online, sharing raid pics and tagging Premier – “Time for real change, not excuses.”
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