---

·      City of Polokwane manager purchased three stands worth R1.6m in October 2023 ·      The manager had approved a questionable refund to Linked Thoughts on 21 June 2023 ·      Manager’s boyfriend benefits from tenders awarded by the municipality

---

Sizwe sama Yende

---

The manager of the City of Polokwane, Thuso Nemugumoni, has denied benefiting kickbacks from a developer who was irregularly paid R41 million.

The denial comes at the backdrop of new information that she bought three stands worth R1.6 million within ten days in October 2023.

Nemugumoni approved the controversial payment to Linked Thoughts Consulting (Pty) Ltd on June 21 2023 as reimbursement for installing bulk service infrastructure Ivy Royal Manor or Ivy Park Ext 36 in Polokwane.

This reimbursement was unprecedented as developers are always expected to pay for bulk services and recoup their money on sales of properties.

Nemugumoni and her officials approved the R41.2 million to Linked Thoughts despite a service level agreement’s succinct stipulation that the developer would pay for bulk services. 

Their action violated supply chain management processes and the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA).

According to documents that The People’s Eye has seen, they indicate that the violation of supply chain management processes began with a hand-written note on the approval on expenditure form dated 20 June 2023. The note states that supply chain management processes should be surpassed. It reads: “As per discussion with ACFO (acting chief finance officer), this is a direct payment. No need to sign under compliance because service agreement is attached.”

There was no council resolution or policy authorising this payment, and the project was not part of the municipality’s Integrated Development Plan, which means it was not budgeted for.

The People’s Eye has discovered that Nemugumoni purchased three stands at Bendor and Euphoria at a combined price of R1 650 000, in addition to two stands she had already acquired in 2018 and 2021.

The city manager bought one stand in Bendor for about R1.2 million which was registerd in her name on November 6 2023, and also bought another one for R490 000 at Euphoria and was registered in her name on the same day.

In November 16 2023, Nemugumoni had bought another stand at Euphoria for R465 000 that was registered in her name. A source said that since Nemugumoni was constructing houses on the stands, she could have paid R3 million for the plans.

City of Polokwane spokesperson, Thipa Selala, said that Nemugumoni did not dispute the acquisition of the properties.

“However, attempts to link these private purchases to the reimbursement of Linked Thoughts are misleading and lack an evidentiary basis,” Selala said.

When asked if Nemugumoni’s salary could enable her to buy these properties in such a short space of time, he said: “The City Manager’s annual salary is aligned with the national upper limits for senior managers as set out in the Government Gazette and is publicly reported in the municipality’s annual financial statements.”

Selala said that Nemugumoni financed the property purchases through a combination of legitimate means, including long-term personal savings; payout of accumulated leave days from her previous employment at Capricorn District Municipality, annual bonu and proceeds from the sale of her rental property.

“The municipality distances itself from speculative claims and urges that any evidence of impropriety be referred to competent law enforcement agencies. Conflating unrelated financial matters without substantiation undermines due process and public trust,” Selala said.

NEMUGUMONI’S LIVE-IN LOVER BENEFITS TENDERS

According to circulating information, Nemugumoni’s boyfriend’s company has been awarded tender worth R66.5 million at the City of Polokwane.

The boyfriend, Kalekale Wesley Nengwenani (48) owns Saatchi Civil Engineering (Pty) Ltd. The People’s Eye understands that Nemugumoni and Nengwenani are cohabiting.

Selala said that Saatchi was awarded all its contracts through lawful and competitive supply chain management processes. He could not indicate if Nemugumoni had recused herself in approving tenders where Saatchi had bid or was involved.

Selala said there was no policy obligating municipal officials to declare boyfriends and girlfriends.

“The municipality’s Code of Conduct, derived from the Municipal Systems Act, requires officials to declare interests where a potential conflict may arise. However, there is no legal or policy requirement obligating municipal officials to declare romantic relationships such as boyfriends or girlfriends,” he said.

Selala said that the city manager did not participate in bid evaluation or adjudication committees. “The procurement process is handled by designated SCM structures and oversight bodies, ensuring fairness and independence.”