Five in court over alleged R2.3m Polokwane water tender fraud

FIVE people accused of defrauding a company of more than R2.3 million in a municipal water project tender appeared in the Polokwane Magistrate’s Court this week, following an investigation by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

- WENDY DONDOLO

According to Hawks spokesperson Warrant Officer Lethunya Mmuroa, the accused, Unkhonto Maropola, 36, Kgopotso Maopola, 30, Johannes Sathekge, 37, Kgaugelo Malebana, 32, and Kgopotso Mohlake, 35, face charges linked to an alleged fraud involving a Polokwane Local Municipality tender awarded in 2023.

The Hawks arrested the suspects on January 13 and 14, after they handed themselves over to the Polokwane-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit. They appeared in court on January 15.