The South African Police Service (SAPS) in Lebowakgomo is investigating a case of malicious damage to property following a break-in the office of the Speaker Limpopo Legislature, Dr Makoma Makhurupetje, that left the offices of two senior managers vandalised.

Provincial spokesperson, Brigadier Hlulani Mashaba, said the incident happened on Wednesday night, 8 July. The suspect(s) gained entry by damaging the ceiling in the two offices and ransacking the entire place.

The incident took place a day after African Times reported that provincial ANC Chief Whip, Essob Mokgonyana, had been accused of launching a smear campaign against suspended Secretary of the Limpopo Legislature, Dr Tim Maake, to protect senior managers implicated in fraud and corruption worth R136 million.

The paper also revealed that a forensic report by Talane and Associates Attorneys had implicated the more than seven senior managers in the theft of millions of taxpayers’ money. They allegedly deleted data records from the Legislature’s accounting and information technology systems to conceal the looting and protect beneficiaries.

Mashaba said employees discovered the break-in when they returned to work on Thursday and found that the ceiling had been ripped through and cabinet doors used to store official files left open.

“It is alleged that officials locked and secured the offices after the close of business on Wednesday, 08 July 2026. Upon returning to work on the morning of Thursday, 09 July 2026, they discovered that ceilings in the offices of the two senior managers have been damaged. Cabinet doors where official files are kept were found open.

“The motive for the incident is currently unknown, and it has not yet been established whether any items or official documents were stolen,” Mashaba said in a statement.

Mashaba also said the SAPS Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC) processed the scene as part of the forensic investigation, while detectives have already begun inquiries to establish the circumstances surrounding the break-in and identify those responsible.

Brigadier Mashaba appealed to anyone with information that may assist in the investigation to contact the investigating officer at SAPS Lebowakgomo or the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

“The information may also be shared anonymously via the MySAPSApp,” Mashaba said.

Andries Lekalakala, spokesperson for the Limpopo Legislature, failed to answer his phone or return messages for comment regarding the break-in.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Limpopo has questioned the “dubious” timing of the break-in and demanded an urgent and open probe into the matter. In a statement, DA Provincial Spokesperson on Legislature Oversight Advocate Franco Marx described the incident as a matter of public interest that requires immediate disclosure and accountability. He warned that the incident raises serious concerns about security, governance and the protection of sensitive state information within the provincial Legislature.

“The Democratic Alliance calls on the Speaker of the Limpopo Legislature, Makomo Makhurupetje, to present a detailed report of the alleged break-in at her offices in the Limpopo Legislature on 8 July 2026 in Lebowakgomo to the Oversight Portfolio committee on 15 July 2026.

Information of the break-in at the Legislature was shared and discussed during the Whips meeting earlier today; no statement by the Speaker was released in this regard,” Marx said.

“We are concerned that a break-in at a national key point, despite a comprehensive and recently upgraded security system, including security guards and members of SAPS, secure smart doors and surveillance at multiple points seemingly went undetected whilst in progress.”

The DA questioned how intruders could allegedly gain access to one of the province’s most secure public buildings without triggering alarms or being intercepted by security personnel.

The party also believes the timing of the alleged break-in warrants close scrutiny. The incident occurred shortly before the anticipated presentation of a forensic investigation report by Talane and Associates Attorneys to the Oversight Portfolio Committee. The report is expected to deal with fraud and corruption estimated at R136 million that have attracted significant public and political attention within the Legislature.

While the DA stopped short of suggesting a direct link, it said investigators should establish whether the alleged break-in was simply a criminal act or whether it may have been intended to gain access to official documents, electronic records or evidence connected to ongoing forensic investigations.

“The investigation must determine whether any files, electronic devices, confidential correspondence or other official records were removed, altered or destroyed. Every possible motive should be thoroughly investigated,” Marx said.

The DA has urged Makhurupetje to cooperate fully with investigators and ensure that the findings of any investigation are tabled before the Oversight Portfolio Committee. It also wants law enforcement authorities to establish whether criminal conduct occurred and prosecute those responsible, if any.