MOKGALAKWENA FLEET TENDER SCANDAL: CASE TO BR MOVED TO POLOKWANE COMMERCIAL CRIME COURT
MOKOPANE: Suspended Mokgalakwena Municipal Manager Morris Maluleka and his co-accused, Gauteng-based businessman Shawnton Lutchman, briefly appeared before the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday as the multimillion-rand municipal fleet tender corruption case continues to unfold.
The two accused are facing charges relating to theft, corruption, money laundering and contraventions of the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA), arising from alleged irregularities in a municipal fleet management contract valued at approximately R24 million.
The State alleges that Maluleka irregularly awarded a fleet management tender to Fleetmove (Pty) Ltd in December 2022 without following the municipality’s prescribed supply chain management processes.
According to the allegations, the contract was initially approved at approximately R4 million but subsequently escalated, with payments totalling about R24 million allegedly made to the service provider.
The prosecution further alleges that services were rendered for only a brief period between April and May 2023, following legal and termination threats.
During previous bail proceedings, prosecutor Martin Molekwane alleged that R230,000 in gratification was paid into a company account linked to Maluleka, allegedly through Bona Cord Vulstasie, a fuel and filling station business.
Maluleka, who was arrested on 7 October 2026, was previously denied bail by the Mokopane Magistrate’s Court after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) argued that his release could compromise the investigation and create a risk of interference with state witnesses.
The matter was postponed to 4 December 2026 for the court to formally acknowledge the transfer of the case to the Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court, where the proceedings are expected to continue.
The case places renewed focus on alleged financial misconduct in municipal procurement and the management of public funds, with the State expected to pursue the prosecution of the accused over the controversial fleet contract.
- Fleetmove Pty Ltd, MDNTV, mdntvlive, mdntvnews, Mogalakwena fleet tender corruption case, Mokopane Magistrate’s Court, money laundering allegations, Morris Maluleka, Municipal Finance Management Act, municipal procurement corruption, municipal tender allegations, Polokwane Commercial Crimes Court, R24 million fleet tender, Shawnton Lutchman, theft and corruption charges
