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In total, Mpumalanga province lost about R500 million in Covid-19 related corruption. The affected departments are health, cooperative governance and traditional affairs, education, culture, sports and recreation, community safety, security and liaison, and the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Secunda

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Sizwe sama Yende

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One of the Mpumalanga Public Works, Roads and Transport officials whose properties were seized in a case related to Covid-19 corruption is a courageous political activist who tried to topple former deputy president, David Mabuza.

Sipho Ronny Monareng, a deputy chief director in the department, led an ANC faction named Save Mpumalanga ANC in 2015, which was the first and the last to openly challenge Mabuza’s hegemony as Mpumalanga premier and ANC chairperson. 

Monareng eventually defected to the EFF in 2016, because he claimed that all the concerns Save Mpumalanga ANC raised against corruption within the party and government were not addressed.

At that time, no one dared to challenge Mabuza as he had a tight grip on the province.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) issued a joint statement today announcing that they had obtained a preservation order form the Mpumalanga Division of the High Court to seize various assets and properties valued at approximately R52.6 million. 

The assets and properties belong to Monareng and 21 senior management officials, service providers, and entities involved in an alleged corruption network within the Mpumalanga Department of Public Works.

The three law enforcement agencies now have the go-ahead to seize various assets in Mpumalanga, Gauteng, North-West, and Western Cape provinces associated with personal protective equipment (PPE) corruption. 

“The operation included serving orders at 34 locations and capturing inventories of 29 properties, 31 vehicles, and a boat trailer. The court order freezes properties such as houses, electronics, cars, household items, jewellery, arms, ammunition, bank accounts, salaries, and bail monies. All internet banking privileges will be removed from the accused as of July 23, 2024.”

Other individuals affected by the order include Macdonald Sigudla, Dorries Mbatha, Bandile Ngcobo, Godisamang Molotsane and Kobus Mkhabela. The service providers are Maganeleni Trading and Projects (Pty) Ltd, Anthony Maganeleng Mashigo, Gladness Gugu Bulunga, Thandolwam Transport and Projects (Pty) Ltd, Mbombela Integrated Waste Management Services (Pty) Ltd, Orapaleng Molotsane, Tsidi Susan Sedibe, Superia Services Trading CC, Whisky Delisa Khumalo, Makulaspan Construction (Pty) Ltd, Thabang Lebo Andiswa Dibakoane, Ntando Ms Trading (Pty) Ltd, Bongani Edward Lukhele, Ligabho Le'Africa Properties (Pty) Ltd, Oratile Molotsane- Ezrom Molotsane.

The SIU's investigation’s into Covid-19 PPE contracts revealed that senior civil servants awarded multi-million Rand tenders to suppliers who did not deliver the services. 

“These suppliers paid substantial kickbacks to the senior management officials and their family members in different ways. The investigation uncovered multiple instances of corruption, fraud, theft, and money laundering committed by senior managers and service providers involved in procuring PPE disinfection services during the COVID-19 period,” the statement reads.

In total, Mpumalanga province lost about R500 million in Covid-19 related corruption. The affected departments are health, cooperative governance and traditional affairs, education, culture, sports and recreation, community safety, security and liaison, and the Govan Mbeki Local Municipality in Secunda

 

LAWSUIT AGAINST THE HAWKS

 

Soon after Monareng was arrested in 2022, he instituted a R5 million lawsuit against the Hawks for distributing his photo to the media.

According to Monareng’s letter of demand dated October 11,  he was summoned to the Hawks offices in Mpumalanga on September 28.

Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, took his photo for record purposes.

“On arrival (at the Hawks offices), he (Monareng) was told by Warrant Officer Madonsela that he was now under arrest. Our client was directed to lean in front of a special wall where a photo of him was taken.

"When our client enquired about the taking of the photos, he was told that it was part of processing measures and for official records. The spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga dropped the photo taken of our client on a social media group of WhatsApp, where journalists are participants and the WhatsApp group is allegedly administered by the Hawks,” Simelane-Mthembu said.

She added that the mainstream print and electronic media had used, and continue to use, the official photos captured by the Hawks’ official in [her] official duties for official purpose and thereon the property of the state (the photos) has been distributed to the media to be used for news headlines.