Mogalakwena Local Municipality’s troubles are far from over, with municipal manager Montengo Morris Maluleke appearing in court in connection with an alleged R45 million fleet management tender scandal, weeks after the Hawks arrested another suspect in the same investigation.
Maluleke, 43, and Bon Accord Vulstasie, a company in which he is reportedly the sole director, appeared before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 9 October 2026, facing allegations linked to fraud, corruption and money laundering, Hawks’ Wendy Nkabi said on Friday.
The latest court appearance marks another significant development in an investigation that has placed the municipality’s fleet management tender under scrutiny.
As previously reported by African Times, the Hawks arrested Lutchman Shanton, 37, in September in connection with the alleged R45 million scandal involving a fleet management tender advertised and awarded by the municipality in 2022. Shanton was subsequently granted R100,000 bail, with his case postponed to 3 November 2026 for further investigations.
The Hawks have been investigating allegations that the procurement process did not comply with prescribed procedures, while investigators have been tracing the movement of money and examining the possible involvement of individuals and private entities linked to the tender.
The latest proceedings involve allegations that a R45 million fleet management tender was awarded to Flitmove (Pty) Ltd in December 2022. Investigators further allege that kickbacks were channelled to Maluleke through a company in which he is the sole director.
Maluleke and the company were brought before court following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation teams in Phalaborwa and Polokwane under Operation Phunyuka Bam’phethe.
The matter was postponed to 16 October 2026 to allow for further investigations and a formal bail application. Maluleke remains in custody.
Limpopo Hawks provincial head Major General (Adv.) Gopz Govender welcomed the court proceedings and reiterated the investigating unit’s commitment to pursuing allegations of corruption without fear, favour or prejudice.
The Hawks have urged anyone with credible information about corruption or the misuse of public funds to assist investigators.
