Municipal manager among three arrested over R16m Blouberg security tender
POLOKWANE – A municipal manager is among three suspects expected to appear before the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court on Friday in connection with an investigation into an alleged irregular R16 million security tender awarded by Blouberg Municipality.
The suspects, aged between 37 and 57, were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation (SCI) team at the municipality on Thursday, with assistance from members of the Polokwane Tactical Response Team (TRT).
The security company linked to the investigation has also been charged.
The investigation dates back to 2024 after complaints were lodged with the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) over alleged irregularities in the awarding of the security tender.
According to the Hawks, the company that was ultimately awarded the contract allegedly failed to meet certain mandatory requirements contained in the tender specifications.
Investigators further established allegations that the company submitted firearm details and certified documents that were not genuine.
One of the mandatory requirements for bidders was possession of a specified number of firearms. Competing bidders reportedly raised concerns that the successful company did not meet this requirement.
During the investigation, the Hawks allegedly established that firearm serial numbers submitted as part of the tender documentation were linked to firearms belonging to other security companies.
Investigators also allegedly found that some certificates included in the company profile were fraudulent, while certification stamps appearing on certain documents submitted as part of the tender were also allegedly falsified.
Following the investigation, the docket was submitted to the Polokwane Specialised Commercial Crime Unit (SCCU) for a decision.
Arrest warrants were subsequently authorised, leading to the arrest of the three suspects on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.
The suspects face allegations of fraud and corruption.
Provincial Head of the DPCI in Limpopo, Major General Adv Gops Govender, commended the investigating team for what he described as diligent work in pursuing allegations of corruption involving public procurement.
The suspects are expected to appear in court on Friday, where the matter is likely to shed further light on the allegations surrounding the R16 million security tender.
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